Building uptick noted in Cranberry, including remodeling at Walmart

Cranberry Township saw a substantial uptick in construction projects in March with 11 building permits listing an estimated construction value of $751,000.

“Things are picking up,” said Ben Breniman, the township zoning officer, at a supervisors meeting Thursday.

Two large projects accounted for much of the projected construction.

One building permit for $171,000 was filed by Walmart for a remodeling job. Breniman said the permit is focused on the Route 322 store’s remodeling for online ordering and includes a canopy, signage and parking.

The other hefty building permit was filed for the construction of a residence. That figure is pegged at $430,000.

The remaining permits, said Breniman, were for garages, trailers, decks and signs.

The March permit figures are higher than the $209,600 listed for February.

In the first three months of 2019, Cranberry Township has recorded 22 building permits with total estimated building costs of slightly more than $1 million.

In 2018, there were 113 permits filed for an estimated $4.6 million in construction projects.

New member appointed

In other business Thursday, the supervisors approved the appointment of Christine Bingman to the township’s economic development committee. Bingman, a nurse, is director of infection prevention/quality/regulation/accreditation at UPMC Northwest Hospital.

The request for the appointment was made by Barrie Brancato, chairman of the committee.

Township roadmaster Ted Williams said crews have been busy replacing cross-over pipes on Slab Furnace Road, grading dirt roads, ditching drainage areas and street sweeping.

Utilities supervisor Mike Erwin reported work is progressing to replace a water line on Riverside Drive. Two under-stream pipes have been installed at crossings along the roadway.

Erwin also noted Morrison Park and Moody Park have been opened for the season. The supervisors approved a water line and sewer line easement in the Big Egypt Road area for township resident John Miller.