Parking meters in Vandergrift to get stylish enhancements
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Some parking meters in Vandergrift are set to receive a fancy, metal makeover.
The Vandergrift Improvement Project (VIP) is moving forward with plans for the Streetscape project, with 10 custom-made V-shaped metal baskets to be installed over parking meters along Grant and Columbia Avenues in the historic shopping district.
“The wish of the VIP was to develop an easily recognizable logo to be used throughout the community and in public areas,” said VIP volunteer Marilee Kessler.
The baskets will be maintained year-round with seasonally appropriate decorations, including flowers during mild weather.
Additionally, a large 8-by-8 foot metal V-shaped installation will be placed in the Olmstead Commons area, located on Washington Avenue. The piece honors the importance of the steel industry to Vandergrift.
Lastly, a smaller 4-by-4 foot V-shaped monument will be installed in front of the Vandergrift Municipal Building, under the Vandergrift Borough sign.
A $10,000 grant was awarded in 2020 from the Community Foundation of Westmoreland County, an affiliate of The Pittsburgh Foundation.
As part of the grant’s terms, the community provides a $5,000 match in volunteer hours, dollars, materials and equipment. Volunteers are credited $24.69 per hour.
An additional $1,500 grant was awarded to the project from the Vandergrift Area Initiative.
“There was a huge delay in fabricating materials because of the pandemic,” said Kessler, who applied for the grant.
To date, about six baskets have been sponsored at $200 each and will be installed along Grant or Columbia avenues. The sponsors will be allowed to select a meter on either street.
Kessler said the project, two years in the making, was inspired by similar flower baskets on meters in Freeport.
“We’re hoping to have them on the majority of meters in town depending on the number of sponsors we get,” Kessler said.
Kessler said council isn’t involved but gave its support to the project.
Funds from basket sponsorship will be used to purchase additional baskets and flowers.
Borough officials have received approval from PennDOT for the project.
VIP worked to ensure that the installations would not interfere with any PennDOT rights of way.
A donation of $200 sponsors a meter basket, designated to honor or memorialize a loved one.
“This project builds a desire to have a sense of community throughout all parts of Vandergrift,” Kessler said.
The basket design, a stylized letter “V” with a serif at the top, was designed by local artisan and welder Eugene Hepler, owner of EHI Firefab, a welding company located in Oklahoma Borough.
Hepler, a Vandergrift native whose great-grandfather helped to build many of the historic homes in the borough, is an accomplished fabricator and welder with more than 43 years of experience.
He has worked on national projects at Disney World, airports, stadiums, malls and architectural companies.
“Hopefully, these (baskets) will be here for as long as what my past family have built in the town,” Hepler said.
Helpler’s welding works can be seen around the borough at Ianni’s Pizzeria, The Casino Theatre and Wooden Door Winery.
“He’s very committed to our community, and his work makes a statement,” Kessler said of Hepler’s craft. “He takes into account the venue and scope of the project. He knows the community well.”
A sample basket is on display at the Vandergrift Market, 134 Grant Ave. VIP plans to install the baskets in spring 2022.
To sponsor a meter basket, call 724-454-1625.