Otten announces multiple state grant awards for critical projects

Rep. Danielle Friel Otten October 22, 2024 | 3:32 PM

HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester, today announced the award of several high-profile state grants for local projects that will benefit residents of the 155^th Legislative District.

Some grants originated from the Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program, which was created to provide grants to public school districts and area career and technical schools for eligible facility improvement projects. The program is administered by the state Department of Community and Economic Development under the direction of the Commonwealth Financing Authority.

Downingtown Area School District, Brandywine Wallace Elementary School Window Replacement Project, $672,000

Downingtown Area School District will replace 78 windows at Brandywine Wallace Elementary School to address safety and energy loss concerns. The storefront and venting windows do not meet energy conservation codes, and the sliding windows are currently inoperable due to gasket deterioration and metal corrosion. The window replacements will provide energy savings, as well as health and safety benefits through improved air quality and more easily operated windows that present fewer risks of injury. The windows will also have a security benefit through simpler locking mechanisms that provide perimeter security.

Downingtown Area School District, District-wide AED Project, $40,250

The Downingtown Area School District AED Master Plan includes the recommendation that all interior locations throughout the district are within 90 seconds of an AED and that the district complete proper maintenance of the AEDs. An inventory of the existing AEDs found that 80% of the AEDs are beyond their recommended lifespan. The proposed project will replace 29 AED units across the school district's 16 school buildings. This project will provide health and safety benefits by having proper equipment for events of sudden cardiac arrest and potentially saving lives. PSFIG funds will be used for the purchase of equipment.

Downingtown Area School District, East Ward Elementary School Window Replacement Project, $550,000

Downingtown Area School District will replace windows at the East Ward Elementary School to address safety and energy loss concerns. The windows from the original 1964 building are unsafe and waste energy. The school's 1996 addition has wood-clad windows, which have deteriorated and can no longer be locked. The proposed window replacement will provide health benefits through improved air quality and removing wet rot that can cause mold growth. The windows will also provide improved safety and security by having appropriate opening height and functional locking mechanisms. PSFIG funds will be used for constructions costs.

The other grants originate from the Statewide Local Share Account, which comes from the PA Race Horse Development and Gaming Act. The act provides for the distribution of gaming revenues through the Commonwealth Financing Authority to support projects in the public interest within Pennsylvania.

Caln Township, Thorndale Fire Co., $78,510

The fire company is looking to add a second generator to the fire station. Adding a second generator will help to ensure that the station can stay up and running when there is an emergency or natural disaster. The project also includes a signage upgrade that will help to give the station a much-needed facelift. The new signage will not only give the front and back of the station a better street look, but it will also help to illuminate the facade of the station, making it easier for the community to see it from the street.

Downingtown Borough, Borough of Downingtown Flood Mitigation Project, $25,016

Flooding is a significant problem within the borough due to its geographic and topographic location within the watershed and being at the low point of extensively developed adjacent communities. The project will purchase and install a new privately owned stream monitoring gauge along the East Branch of the Brandywine Creek to use as part of an upgraded system to alert and notify residents during flood events. The borough is also working on an improved website and reverse 911 system for residents within flood prone areas. This project will attempt to mitigate the repetitive impacts from flooding within the community due to the East Branch of the Brandywine Creek and its tributaries. The project will also involve installation of a camera, website integration, and bridge gauge refreshment.

East Brandywine Township Municipal Authority, Wastewater Remote Monitoring Equipment, $69,900

Recent critical failures in East Brandywine Township Authority’s wastewater infrastructure have highlighted the need for a rapid response to any systematic failures. The project aims to purchase and install wastewater treatment and pump station remote monitoring equipment at 11 of EBTMA’s wastewater facilities. Such equipment would be capable of providing EBTMA personnel early warning of system failure for proactive maintenance and emergency response.

East Brandywine Township Municipal Authority, Emergency Portable Diesel-Powered Dewatering Pump, $77,560

Recent mechanical pump failures and flooding events in East Brandywine Township have highlighted the need for dewatering equipment for authority personnel to use to maintain water/sewer facilities. The project aims to purchase a portable dewatering pump for a variety of maintenance and infrastructure use cases.

Upper Uwchlan Township, Hickory Park Rehabilitation, $100,000

Upper Uwchlan Township wishes to make Hickory Park a safer place for the community and open more recreational opportunities for residents and the community through this project. The project will update the parking areas and limit vehicular and pedestrian interaction. The project will add four pickleball courts and improve the multipurpose field at the park to accommodate rugby and cricket on the pitch. The project also includes a new tee ball field for the local little league. They will also be making repairs and improvements to the existing basketball and volleyball courts. Additional improvements will include access drive and parking improvements, trails, pavilions and site amenities, and necessary landscaping, stormwater management and erosion control measures.

Wallace Township Municipal Authority, Wastewater System Upgrade, $160,018

This project addresses known issues about the system that have been pressing the Wallace Township Municipal Authority for several years. This project will replace approximately 20 existing grinder pumps, including the pumps, controls, wiring within the grinder pump tanks and tank lids. These pumps are at least 20 years old and are beyond their useful life. The pumps are scheduled to be installed on Indiantown Road, Creek Road, Ashlea Drive, Fairview Road, and McConnel Drive. The project will also install an automatic filter at the Glenmore Wastewater Treatment Plant. The treatment plant is having a problem with suspended solids and is, at times, unable to meet its permit requirements. This installation will also include an electronic backwash controller. Additional project work includes the purchase a new magnetic flow meter to replace the current meter that is over 30 years old. The new meter will improve the accuracy of flow measurement. This project will ensure continued sustainability of the sewer system and is consistent with existing county and township comprehensive plans.

West Brandywine Township, Icedale Road Bridge Replacement and Removal of the Adjoining Icedale Meadows Dam, $575,000

West Brandywine Township is planning to remove and replace the Icedale Road Bridge, which provides vehicular access across the West Branch of the Brandywine Creek. The project contemplates the removal of the Icedale Meadows Dam and the bypass channel eliminating the need for two spans crossing the creek and race channel. Ice Damn Road provides access to approximately 100 households. When the current bridge floods, long detours are required for residents and emergency vehicles.

“State funding plays a key role in supporting our local municipalities, giving communities the resources they need to meet the demands of growth and development without putting excess financial burden on taxpayers," Otten said. "By backing essential projects like infrastructure, public services, and school facility improvements, states ensure continued progress while keeping local tax rates stable. Congratulations to all the funding recipients – your efforts reflect positively on our entire community.”

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