NEW DEVELOPMENTS NorthPoint Development, LLC, is in the process of constructing a Beyond Self Storage facility at 512 Castle Shannon Boulevard. The 128,000-square-foot facility will have all interior storage—just one building for all the storage units, with a drive-through loading area. The facility will feature a self-service kiosk and a retail office that sells moving and packing supplies, a business center with a conference table, work stations, printer and copier services and free Wi-Fi. The facility is expected to be open for business by summer 2018.

NorthPoint, based in Kansas City, has similar facilities throughout the Midwest, and two more in western Pennsylvania—in Robinson and in Ross townships.

“This might be one of our more challenging sites to work with given the severe topographic challenges,” says Ben Hagedorn, director of self-service operations for NorthPoint. “But the location is superb, and we’re very excited about the opportunity.”

Other projects taking shape:

Work has begun on Uptown Place. Preliminary site work has begun and developers are putting the finishing touches on the floor plans for their 5-unit townhouse project at 770 Washington Road. The project has been in the works since 2016, when Rolling Lambert Building Company submitted an application for a lot consolidation plan to merge three parcels into one. The townhouses are priced at $654,000 and two have been presold.

Permits have been issued for five new homes at Summit Pointe, a development on Country Club Drive that will have 11 single-family homes with prices starting at $800,000.

A 60-unit multifamily senior apartment building has all permits to move forward on the site of the former Bradley Center at the corner of McNeilly Road and Midland Avenue near the border of Mt. Lebanon, Dormont and Pittsburgh.

Plans for an additional 20,000 square foot commercial building at 1701  Cochran Road are being reviewed by the planning board and other permit-issuing agencies. C.E. Acquisitions, LP, the property owner, has received approval to expand parking on the site to service the existing commercial building and as well as the new structure. The site plan calls for widening the sidewalk around the existing building to be create an outdoor seating area and adding a retaining wall.  No word yet on expected tenants for the new building, although the developer is negotiating with a restaurant for part of the space.

WHAT’S UP, UPTOWN? The Washington Road business district will get a multimillion dollar facelift in several stages over the next few years, and a state grant will help fund it. Mt. Lebanon will receive $91,500 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority through the Gaming and Economic Development Tourism Fund, which helps spur projects with the use of revenue generated at local casinos.

That money will go to the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County to assist Mt. Lebanon in making improvements along Washington Road. The project will help make Mt. Lebanon’s main business district safer and easier for shopping, dining, socializing and visiting professional offices.

The upgrades are part of a new vision for the road. Commercial Districts Manager Eric Milliron expects to have the final report soon on the strategic plan for the project developed with the help of a consultant last year.  Milliron, who heads Mt. Lebanon’s economic development office, has been working on the plan in cooperation with evolve, an engineering and architecture firm. Watch for detailed recommendations for Uptown in a future issue.

ALCOSAN RATE HIKE Starting in January, residents will see an increase in their sewage bills. The Allegheny County Sanitary Authority (ALCOSAN), is raising rates by 7.5 percent. A resident who uses 12,000 gallons of water per quarter and whose bill from ALCOSAN was $390 in 2017, will pay $419 in 2018. This amounts to $29.22 per year or $2.43 per month more. In 2019, 2020 and 2021, rates will increase 7 percent each year, with the cost to the average customer being $513 per year or $42.75 per month by 2021. ALCOSAN’s rate is computed two ways, the per-gallon rate and the customer service charge. The current rate of $6.91 per 1,000 gallons of water used will rise to $7.42 per 1,000 gallons for 2018. The quarterly customer service charge, $14.51 in 2017, will be $15.60 in 2018. Low-income households can get a $30 credit each quarter on their bills from ALCOSAN’s Clean Water Assistance Fund. To see if you’re eligible, view the income calculator and requirements at www.dollarenergy.org/need-help/pennsylvania/alcosan.

TOPS IN TRAFFIC SAFETY Despite lots of traffic and many pedestrians of the two-legged and four-legged varieties, Mt. Lebanon remains a safe place to walk. For the 13^th consecutive year, Mt. Lebanon received the AAA Platinum Community Traffic Safety Award, the highest level of achievement in the program. To earn it, Mt. Lebanon must demonstrate a goal of reducing the number of traffic fatalities by educating residents about safe driving habits. We had no fatalities again last year.

CHRISTMAS TREE PICKUP Republic Services will pick up trees at curbside on Saturday, January 13, and Saturday, January 20. Please have your tree at the curb the night before either collection date.  Because the trees are going straight into the chipper, they need to be stripped of all lights, tinsel and other decorations and cannot be in plastic bags. You also may drop your tree off at the Public Works facility for recycling during this period. The drop-off area will be designated with a sign. Finally, you can put your tree out with your trash for regular pickup.