Section of Clay Avenue sidewalks set for replacement in Jeannette

The replacement of curbs and sidewalks on a section of Clay Avenue should be completed in June, said Ed Antonacci, Jeannette’s city engineer.

But the price could rise because some property owners between Sixth and Seventh streets didn’t respond to requests from city officials seeking information about openings below the sidewalk to their buildings, he said. City council this week awarded a contract to KGD Contracting of Greensburg for $178,000, which will be paid from 2020 Community Development Block Grant funding.

“This number probably will go up a little bit because we’ve got some unknowns on the avenue,” Antonacci told council.

The city has been replacing sidewalks in the Clay Avenue business district for the last few years. The work will wrap up next year with the final piece between Seventh and Eighth streets along an empty lot. The projects have been funded through grants.

“(The contractor is) highly recommended and also the lowest bidder,” said Councilman Chuck Highlands.

Some properties have old openings under the sidewalk that, at one time, allowed additional access to the building for a variety of reasons, including coal chutes, utility vaults and old staircases. The section of Clay Avenue between Sixth and Seventh streets has at least 18 such openings — more than the other projects combined, Antonacci said.

But a few property owners in that block did not respond to his requests to determine if an access to their building exists, so the contractor may find some extra work below ground. Those who did not respond include Jeannette Bakery and Punch & Jrs, both of which are closed, Antonacci said. The openings will be sealed off as part of the project.