Last April, nearly a year ago, Northampton County Public Works Director Michael Emili and Executive Lamont McClure provided County Council with preliminary plans for a new parking garage and office building at the Easton campus.
McClure stated that the county has spent millions on its parking garage and "it's still falling apart." It has a useful life of about three years. He said it needs to be replaced as a matter of safety. "I do not want anybody to be injured in there."
The parking deck was built in 1975 and was estimated to have a service life of 35-40 years. There are 298 parking spots, including the parking lot on Washington Street. Massive repairs to the deck were conducted in 2010, 2016 and 2023. Pieces of concrete are still falling. Emili has brought a few in from time to time to show to Council. He also produced a photo of a county-owned car damaged by falling concrete. In addition, water seeps through joints and cracks, picking up minerals and staining cars parked there.
The need for a new parking deck has actually become a matter of public safety. Yet because McClure wanted to include a new county building in a bond ordinance, County Council demurred. It was not until February 6 that Council finally approved a $35 million bond to fund a new garage.
The garage itself costs $21 million, but the bond would also finance the purchase of energy conservation assets as well as a P25 radio system for first responders. Council members John Goffredo and John Brown still opposed the project. "We're cutting a bland check and don't know what we're getting," complained Goffredo. Brown argued that the county could use existing funds without borrowing.
Public Works Director Emili updated County Council about the project on March 19.
Emili told Council that the county issued a Request for Proposals for architectural design and project management in mid-February, after the bond was approved. Proposals were received March 18 (10 for architectural and engineering design and 4 for construction management). A selection committee that includes a member of Council will review and rate the proposals.
Emili stated that the footprint of the new garage will be similar to what exists now, but capacity will increase to about 350. He contemplates that a three-tier structure will remain.
The county expects to break ground on the new parking deck about a year from now.
20 comments:
They will have to build a building one day in the near future, and it will be much more expensive than it would have been to do it now.
Lamont still working for the people getting stuff done.
If it's needed, it's needed. But I struggle to believe anything McClure says given his record of dishonesty. Trust but verify. McClure is not trustworthy.
Nothing is quite so boring, and expensive, and necessary, as a parking deck.
John Brown and John Goffredo are irresponsible. They're fine with putting the public in danger while they play Trump style politics. I'm hoping the public votes them out in November.
For the life of me, I’ll never understand why Lori Vargo Heffner helped the Republicans delay this project for a year costing the taxpayer more money !
Yes, public safety. What about the excuse of public safety crosswalk!!!! That's a joke! That is going to do nothing towards a person crossing the street. McClure has no commonsense.
When Brown was county exec, he actually removed and painted over the crosswalk. When McClure was elected, he repainted the crosswalk and installed signals for the public to use. It is much safer now than it was. When Brown was there, several people were hit by cars. Now, nobody gets hit.
7:32, Your life must not be very valuable to you. You know very well why this bond was delayed. It included a new county building that McClure wanted but that Council considered unnecessary. McClure wanted to tie that project to the garage. Council made clear that it was willing to finance a garage but was not sold on the need for a new building. Had Lamont removed that building from the bond ordinance, it would have passed right away. When he did, it passed 7-2. I personally believe he made the case for a new building, but Council did not.
The only reason no one's been hit is that you're too quick on your feet, Bernie. I keep trying...
9:57, lol. I jaywalk. Don’t tell anyone.
Refresh my memory. The county ended the lease at Human Services and purchased the building? Reason I ask is if any thought was given to having all county offices on one campus.
Nobody ever gives a college money for a parking deck. For a science building, or a campus center but nobody will donate $20 million for, for example, The Bernie O’Hare Parking Deck.
That’s what the county should name it.
“The county expects to break ground on the new parking deck about a year from now. “
What? A year to break ground? I thought this was a dangerous parking deck that should have been replaced years ago! People were going to have concrete falling on their heads!
I’m assuming they’ve closed the old garage down, right? Wouldn’t want anyone getting hurt.
2:21, Don't kid yourself. The garage is a public safety hazard and might very well have to be closed. The previous two Execs had to shut down portions of it while attempting repairs. I would not be surprised at all if that happens.
As far as the speed is concerned, the county could accelerate the process, but that would mean shortening the time needed to review proposals, include council in a selection committee and decide which plan is superior. I assume you've heard the expression, "Haste makes waste." Plus Council would likely balk at moving so quickly. If nothing else, it has demonstrated the ability to take its time.
County always take to much time for approving different projects except for the McClure projects
What has McClure been dishonest about ? Whose trust has he violated ?
He boasted himself when he was on Council. He could have done something all those years. Instead he voted to give Council Clerk ridiculous money that should be used on protecting others.
McClure has clearly been a very good County Executive. Most independent observers rate him the best. However, I’m interested today in which of the 3 CE candidates will come closest to his conception of how to run a county government and his style in doing it.
@9:13, Someone stop Marty Bechtel and Gene Hartzell form spinning in their graves. "Independent Observers, "Steve Barron, Kenny Kraft and Jim Irvin. you guys just too much. Wait till your fembot Zirinski faces her republican foe and her "REAL" record will be seen. Not the record you and Bernie are trying to sell.
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