STEEL VALLEY COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS

HAZEL-BOON WAY RECONSTRUCTION AND STORMWATER ABATEMENT PROJECT

A STEEL VALLEY INTERGOVERNMENTAL GRANT APPLICATION OF WEST HOMESTEAD, HOMESTEAD, AND MUNHALL BOROUGHS Introduction
Hazel and Boon Ways are the public right-of-way between 8th and 9th Avenues, which provide service access to buildings on both streets, and are an essential thoroughfare in The Avenues Business District. Our communities have been long aware of the issues these streets create for our historic districts. Due to their greatly dilapidated state, and generally blighted conditions, these important service roads: Deter new business entry Increase the expenses for existing tenants Attract a host of illegal or undesirable activities, which is a liability to the safety and livability of our historic business districts

Through an intergovernmental effort, under the leadership of the Steel Valley COG, the Boroughs are proposing to reconstruct Hazel and Boon Ways from Sarah Street in West Homestead, to Martha Street in Munhall. The proposal includes the development of a green stormwater abatement system that diverts captured rainfall to a bioswale in two parcels between the CSX and Norfolk Southern railroad tracks.

Hazel-Boon Way Reconstruction

Both the right-of-ways are a combination of century-old brick and laid concrete or asphalt that sits upon a poorly founded, sandy base. Throughout the decades this has led to a significantly uneven road that is difficult to navigate and ineffective at channeling and collecting stormwater. As a result, many of our private tenants and residents along the roads experience regular pooling in their sole service drives (freezing in the winter), and consistent significant flooding in their properties. The reconstruction of Hazel and Boon will include pulling up the existing road, the establishment of a stable base, and a repaved right-of-way. Reconstruction will also pay special attention to the promotion of public safety and the elimination of the current activities that dominate these roads.

Stormwater Abatement
The proposal includes a substantial stormwater abatement development that will channel captured raingall into a rain garden/bioswale in two parcel, both of which are located between the Norfolk Southern and CSX rail lines. We estimate that this will capture and divert roughly 18,000,000 gallons per year, thereby complimenting ALCOSAN's green initiative plans. We intend to incorporate the creation of a linear park with a trail/path for passive recreation the runs through the parcels. This feeder route will attract cyclists traveling the Great Allegheny Passage into The Avenues Business District by way of Amity Street. The abatement strategy will eliminate a leading barrier to entry into the business district by creating easier access to buildings and mitigating the stormwater issues, resulting in significant progress in economic development.

Project Highlights
Business owners and investors in The Avenues consistently list the condition of Hazel and Boon Ways as one of the most prominent barriers to entry into the business district. Poor conditions make access to buildings difficult. Failing stormwater management system creates consistent water infiltration issues in the 8th Avenue buildings. Enhances future development of the The Avenues Business District by eliminating these concerns. Creates roughly 200 construction jobs for two construction seasons, 5 permanent maintenance jobs, and 500+ permanent retail and support service jobs in The Avenues Business District. Unites the three Steel Valley municipalities by using Inter-Governmental Cooperation Compliments the wet weather court order to eliminate storm run-off from the rivers and ALCOSAN. Endorsed by the Western PA Conservancy, Three Rivers Wet Weather, ALCOSAN, PA American Water, and dozens of other businesses and community organizations. Creates a bioswale to replace unused green space with the incorporation of passive recreation that intends to attract users of the Greater Allegheny Passage. Improves ADA ramps for Hazel and Boon Ways intersections to provide greater access to the business districts from the neighborhoods. Accommodates and Capitalizes on the construction of the Great Allegheny Passage Bike Trail with the creation of the access path running from the trail, through the bioswales green spaces, and into The Avenues Business District. Compliments the proposed developments at the Carrie Furnace site and the plans to create a bicycle path across the Hot Metal Bridge by creating a link between The Avenues Historic Downtown Business District and the Historic National Park at Carrie Furnace.

Project Scope