Greensburg officials are looking to save money by adding a new layer to an aging fire station roof instead of replacing it.
Tom Bell, the city’s public works director and chief of the Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department, said the roof project at the Company No. 7 station on East Pittsburgh Street has been included in this year’s budget — as have less extensive repairs needed to the Company No. 6 roof on West Otterman Street.
A metal roof over the No. 7 station truck room dates from the early 1990s.
The roof “had some wear and tear and it’s been patched,” Bell said. “Instead of replacing the roof, which is a costly feature, we went with doing a membrane restoration of this roof.”
The roof would be restored with a three-piece coating, he said. The roof over the station’s social hall would not be involved.
“We’re basically getting another roof on top of it for half what the cost would be if we would tear it up and put another roof on it,” he said. “It’s what the budget can allow.”
The project cost will be determined through a bidding process, overseen by the city’s facilities consultant, The Garland Company. The consultant will draft specifications for the project.
The company provided a similar service during a previous roof project at city hall, Bell said.
Bell said he wants to have bids ready for city council to consider at its July meeting. He said he’s hoping the cost may be in the range of $12 per square foot.
The No. 6 station roof has developed leaks, but Bell said it can be repaired at an estimated cost of less than $5,000 that won’t require formal bids.
Tuscano-Maher Roofing of Loyalhanna Township is expected to complete those repairs.
The fire department has six stations scattered throughout the city.
