By JUDITH O. ETZEL – Contributing writer
A plan to build a retirement complex near the UPMC Northwest hospital is moving ahead.
Cranberry Township supervisors accepted a bid at a meeting Thursday to timber part of a 93-acre tract adjacent to the hospital. Of that parcel, a 3.8-acre corner portion is earmarked for a multi-apartment facility for senior citizens.
Township manager Chad Findlay told the supervisors that Allegheny Wood Products bid $160,848 to harvest trees 14 inches or bigger. The bid is about $50,000 higher than an earlier estimate for the timber value.
In a related matter, Findlay said the Hudson Group, a company interested in building the complex that will feature from 30 to 40 rental units, is drawing up “concept plans” that show what the building will look like.
“In another month, they will have something to lay out and present to the public,” said Findlay.
Russ Campbell, a member of an amateur radio emergency communications network, said the antenna will offer a “more rapid means of (emergency) communication” in the region. There is currently an older antenna on the tower and a lease agreement with the radio operators extends to 2020.
Also, two local students were hired to do summer work for the township. They are Erin Merryman and Remington Slater.
