Collapsing building threatens Glassport

Part of Monongahela Avenue is blocked off as borough officials search for a quick solution.

By THOMAS LETURGEY
For the MVI

Glassport officials are concerned that a property on its main thoroughfare will collapse soon.

At Tuesday’s workshop meeting, council discussed how the retail building that includes apartments at 709 Monongahela Ave. is falling apart by the day.

Neighbors recently called 911 when bricks fell from the side of the building. Borough Manager Elaina Skiba said first responders shut the road near the intersection of Seventh Street.

Skiba said the owner is “missing in action” and “refusing to reply to anyone’s call, text, email or any kind of communication.”

According to Allegheny County real estate records, the property is owned by Gregg R. Cegelski of Elizabeth Township.

Crews put horses up at the Seventh Street intersection, traffic is detoured in both directions and police tape wraps across Monongahela Avenue for about half a block. Council members say some residents have “moved the horses” and tried to drive through, but end up realizing both ends are blocked.

Council members said they have tried to minimize the detour and that residents can make it to the post office via nearby alleys. Skiba said the borough is doing everything it legally can to protect the safety of residents.

Council President Anthony Colechecci noted that the building’s immediate neighbor on the right and a business on the left, the former Chuggers bar and tavern, could be affected by the continued disintegration.

Skiba said the borough is trying to find out if there is insurance on the property. The borough has also reached out to Allegheny County Councilman Aaron Adams and the Council of Government to see if they can allocate some emergency demolition money to level the property.

“Everyone needs to know that the borough can do whatever we want to do for this property,” Skiba added. “But at the end of the day it is not our responsibility” when the property owner is in the area and a lien could be levied to pay for the project.

She explained that they have received three quotes for the work, they are looking into an environmental study for the property and are awaiting a report from engineers “who have deemed it an imminent danger.”

The property has been an issue for months, borough officials say. Skiba said it was condemned two months ago and residents who lived in the building were told to find alternative housing, which they did. The borough’s building inspector mailed a letter of everything that needed to be done.

“The building inspector felt that the building was imploding,” Skiba said, with a faulty support beam in the basement that “is just about gone.”

She said a structural gap at the top of the building is “probably three inches out further than it was two months ago.” And windows are pulling apart by the day.

Skiba fears the building will collapse further with heavy and persistent wind and rain in the immediate forecast.

Skiba also said the borough is still looking into the demolition of 440 Monongahela Ave. Colecchi noted that the county has delayed the grant because the property is next to a historical district. Officials say they are working on identifying the issue.

New sanitation service

Colecchi reported that Fayette Waste started as the borough’s new trash hauler March 2, and “there were areas that were missed,” but corrections were made. He reminded residents that trash must be placed on the curb Sunday evening after 5 p.m, adding, “That way they can start collecting at 5:30 a.m.”

Skiba shared an email saying that if trash pickup is missed, residents are to call Fayette Waste. Residents are permitted to put one bulk item out per household on the first Monday of the month. They should call Fayette Waste to arrange that special pickup.

The borough will continue to promote the changes on its social media platforms until residents are more familiar with the new company.

Also Tuesday, Colecchi said HVAC work, which was paid with an LSA grant, should begin soon on the borough building. LED replacement funded through another grant will also begin soon.

Glassport will sign with the Allegheny County Economic Development’s Community Development block grant and a home investment partnership for the next three fiscal years, beginning in July 2027.

Council will provide park updates, especially looking at ways to limit dog traffic and potential vandalism at Glassport Honor Roll Park.

Colecchi reported that Allegheny Together has been rebranded as Main Street Allegheny, and he will have an update on that next Tuesday. He said the Giant Eagle mobile market and Tree Pittsburgh will soon be working on a project together.

Skiba will have an update on grants for the Ninth Street park, the small water and sewer, the police camera grant and others next week. Police Chief Shawn DeVerse has secured another $27,000 grant for license plate readers and security cameras throughout the borough. She said that through Allegheny County Economic Development, they are up to $145,000 for the Ninth Street Park.

Next week, council is expected to accept the resignation of two police officers, and DeVerse will give an update on test scores and evaluations of potential replacements.

The senior center will host a healthy cooking demonstration from noon to 3 p.m. March 20. Anyone interested should contact the senior center.