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Collier starts making way for park
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Collier officials kicked off the development of the long-awaited Collier Township Park at the former Charles E. Kelly Support Facility with a ceremony April 10 that initiated the demolition of many of the old Army buildings there.
The former "Missile Master" facility on Nike Site Road was closed by the U.S. Army Base Realignment and Closure Commission in 2005, and in September nearly 72 acres of the former base were turned over to Collier for recreational use.
Officials, along with the Friends of Collier Parks and Recreation, completed a master plan for the area that includes the amenities and uses best thought to serve the community at that site.
Collier obtained a $150,000 grant in December from the Allegheny County Redevelopment Authority's Community Infrastructure Tourism Fund that helped pay for a major portion of the demolition contract. The demolition project will involve razing 10 structures, including some blighted office buildings and barracks.
"We are truly grateful for the support of the Allegheny County Redevelopment Authority and look forward as a community to razing these buildings to make way for the largest public improvement project in our township's history by creating this long-planned for park," said Robert Schuler, Collier commissioners president.
When this demolition work is completed by next summer, the first phase of the new park will begin -- construction of a multipurpose field, practice fields, tennis courts, dek hockey rink, playground areas, a pavilion and a rain garden. Officials have allocated $1.4 million in the capital investment budget for the park's development and additional grant requests to help offset the costs have been submitted.
At their meeting that night, commissioners enacted an ordinance authorizing the issuance of $5.87 million of general obligation bonds to be paid back over a 20-year period at a 3.69 percent interest rate. The bond package includes the refinancing of some bonds from 2003 as well. The closing for the bonds will take place May 15.
Most, but not all, of the funds will be used for the project's first phase, which will be done this year, said Commissioner Kay Downey-Clarke, noting the dek hockey rink, pickleball courts and tennis courts will be done this fall.
It was noted that Collier received a low interest rate on the bond issue because of its good financial rating.
Residents may view the park plans in the municipal building lobby.
First Published April 19, 2012 5:21 am
