PennDOT Giving $513,000 to Lansdale in Extra Streetscape Funds

Lansdale Borough's coffers just got more than a half million heavier.
PennDOT has given Lansdale Borough $513,000 in supplemental funding that had to be expended on the now completed streetscape project on West Main and Broad streets.
The money, according to borough Manager Timi Kirchner, will be added to the capital reserve fund and used down the road.
"Dan Gleason (of PennDOT) said 'Lansdale does it right' and that (utilities director) Jake Ziegler is a good person in charge in working with PennDOT," she said. "PennDOT put faith in us and our ability to get it done right."
At the Public Works Committee this month, Ziegler said PennDOT was able to come up with the additional money to pass on the borough, which could be used to offset over and above what it spent on the project.
"As we were going through that, various things came up ... and we had to expend funds and need to be reimbursed," Ziegler said. For example, the borough spent extra money fixing a height issue with the light post foundations, Ziegler said.
"When you complete a project in the way PennDOT wants it completed, they look more favorable on this kind of stuff," Ziegler said. "Credit to (engineer) Chris (Fazio), the contractor and the borough."
Committee Chairman Steve Malagari said the borough should first reimburse itself for any change orders related to the streetscape project and the current PCTI project.
He then tasked the committee with coming up with ideas for how to use the remainder.
"First, we need to get an idea of what we are allowed to spend the rest of the money on," Malagari said, adding the borough could put it toward road improvements.
Councilman Jack Hansen suggested putting the money toward continuing the streetscape down East Main Street to Memorial Park.
"That's a good place to go. We have a beautiful downtown. If we expanded it out to Memorial Park, it could be a lead in to get people into Memorial Park," Hansen said.
"If they're giving it, we're taking it," said Councilman Mike Sobel.