Duquesne to Demolish Empty Homes

Council discusses street paving, signage requests

By Tom Leturgey
The Tube City Almanac
May 11, 2023
Posted in: Duquesne News

Duquesne will use $51,000 to demolish several vacant homes, and officials are also looking at two additional properties that may need attention.

At this month’s meeting, city Solicitor Myron Sainovich said the properties in question are 11 S. Fifth St., 117 N. Fourth St., 1006 Sherman Ave. and 32 Meadow St. Residents also asked the city to evaluate 114 N. Fifth St. and 721 Mifflin St., to see if they need to be boarded up.

There was also discussion with council regarding street repair, namely on two sections of Center Street. Council decided to look into the cost of repairs and follow up at a later meeting.

Councilman Aaron Adams said that the city would begin the process to bid out solid waste collection, beginning in 2024. A motion was passed to have the city engineer to draw up specifications for the solid waste collection contract.

There was also discussion of hosting a utility fair at City Hall to assist residents with billing questions and processes. Adams noted that with more workers on the job in city government, they might be able to properly support vendors with chaperones. As an added plus, with more city workers on the job, a designated meter reader will be able to go from house to house and read water meters.

In her public works report, Councilperson Elaine Washington informed her colleagues that the two permanent Street employee positions were filled, and one “is a professional landscaper” so she is enthused about that. The city has hired one seasonal, summertime employee, and there is still one opening that’s yet to be filled.

A $585 per week City Hall cleaning contract was approved, even with a rare dissension from Councilman Adams. He did not immediately elaborate on his vote.

Washington also said that she is looking into replacing street signs in the community.

Police Chief Tom Shaw told council that there has been some interest in an upcoming June 9 police test. He also noted that the department is still waiting on grants for body cameras for officers in the city.

Shaw also inquired about security upgrades to enter the police department. He said that there are three separate doors to enter the department he wants to avoid former officers from being able to enter using existing codes and entry points. Council and the mayor said they would look into it.

Tom Leturgey is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh and the editor of KSWA Digest, the online news and features home of the Keystone State Wrestling Alliance. His work also appears in The Valley Mirror and other publications.

Originally published May 11, 2023.

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