Public information session planned for Northmont flood control project

A public information session is planned at Greensburg City Hall next week for property owners whose land would be affected by a proposed flood control project in the Northmont neighborhood.

City officials are seeking easements on 20 properties, in addition to a few that are owned by Greensburg. So far, 12 easement agreements have been signed, said Alec Italiano, director of planning and development.

That’s good news to Mayor Robb Bell, who said it’s the most progress the city has made in getting the project started in the past several decades.

“I’m really pushing for this,” he said.

Letters were sent this year to owners of properties that would be affected by the project. The target is an unnamed stream that runs parallel to Glenview Avenue and flows mostly through backyards and goes underground before connecting to Jacks Run near Lynch Field.

The proposal will involve the construction of concrete culverts and U-channels along the unnamed stream. It will be funded through a state grant.

Italiano said the information session Wednesday, May 28, will include details about the project and the opportunity for residents to ask questions. Most of the questions so far have centered on replacing existing landscaping and paving after the project is done, he said.

Bell knows firsthand of the flooding problems — he grew up in one of the affected properties and recalled spending his childhood years keeping the creek clear of debris. If debris built up, basements and yards would be flooded, he said.

“It’s been a long project, but I’m determined to get this thing done,” he said.

Trib archives indicate city officials discussed the project in 2014 and said then that the problem had been going on for decades. The proposal had been shelved at some point, but heavy rain in August 2007 renewed interest in the work. After those rains, residents began complaining to council about flooded basements and sewage backup, the Trib reported in 2014.

Affected properties are on Roosevelt Way, New Alexandria Road, Harvey Avenue, Albert Way, Kenneth Street, Kenmore Avenue, Northmont Street and Oakhill Avenue. Some are in Hempfield.

The city needs all of the property owners to sign off on the easements to move forward. The current version of the project and easements will not cost property owners anything.

“Once we get all those signed, they’ll be ready to go,” Bell said.