The Green Gateways volunteer project began on March 18, 2011 with the cleaning and updating of 9th Street with park benches, planters, cigarette urns and the construction of a Pergola rest area at the corner of 9th Street and Atlantic Avenue.  A concrete table and benches were added along with a trash container, way-finding sign, bike rack and cigarette urn to yet be installed.  Brush was cleared allowing for an additional eight feet of space within Friendship Park.  The surrounding area was cleaned and graded, leveled with top soil and seeded.  Installation of landscape lighting has been completed with energy saving sensor-activated dusk to dawn flood lights.  Completion of landscape should be achieved by June 30th, 2012. 

Restoration of the Baker-Baldwin Cemetery was completed in September of 2011.  An application for county historical landmark designation has been completed and was submitted through the Ohio River Trail Council.  Weekly maintenance of the cemetery is continued. 

Clearing of brush and debris was performed at 17th Street at the entrance to the East Rochester Bridge as part of the Keep America Clean/Keep PA Clean project, sponsored by PennDot in 2011. 

A perennial friendship garden was installed at the upper level of the Pump House along Atlantic Avenue in 2011 and is continuously maintained by volunteers.  Perennials were also planted in the Leaf Pest Control planter to visually enhance the 9th Street Entrance into Monaca from the Monaca-Rochester Bridge, and is currently maintained by volunteers.  In 2012, the Monaca Borough Building islands were converted to perennial gardens, again maintained by MVCO and the Happy Weeder Volunteers.   

Decorative crosswalks were installed at 9th Street and Indiana, and at 10th and 11th Streets crossing Pennsylvania Avenue.  In 2012, three additional decorative crosswalks will be installed at 9th Street and Washington Avenue,  at 6th Street and Pennsylvania (Legion), and between 9th and 10th Streets and Pennsylvania (Red Wing), completing the busiest sections of the downtown business district.  All remaining crosswalks on 9th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue will be improved with highly visible reflective and anti-skid white thermoplastic crosswalk markings.  The attempt to improve the visibility and safety of Monaca's business district crosswalks nears the $17,000 mark to date.  Improvements in motorist awareness at crosswalks and a decrease in mishaps have been noted.  One additional advantage is the cost savings to the borough in manpower and wages.  The thermoplastic markings are anticipated to last approximately 5 years under high traffic situations, can be spot repaired, and require minimal man hours and limited amounts of material for repair and maintenance.     

In January of 2012, renovation of 4 rooms at the Monaca Community Center (former CJ Mangin School) was begun, utilizing toxic free paint, sustainable carpeting and ceramic flooring, water saving bathroom fixtures, energy efficient fluorescent and LED lighting and repurposed/recycled furnishings.  A beverage center and refrigeration has been added for the convenience of meeting participants.  The room is expected to be completed by the end of June 2012.  NOTE: Funding was specifically raised for this project and was not funded by donations received and intended solely for community improvements.   

On June 16, 2012, chaired by Councilman John DiMarzio, volunteers participated from 9 am to 1 pm in River Sweep 2012 extending from the Monaca Boat Launch to 17th Street at the Monaca-East Rochester Bridge.  Additional information may be found elsewhere on this website. 

In June of 2012, restoration of the six lower level Pump House gardens began and will continue until completion. 

Project Duration:  March 18, 2011 through June 30, 2012

Project Cost as of June 7, 2012:  $93,818.00 (donations, in-kind services, volunteer hours donated)

CROSSWALK PROJECT (Cash Donations and Volunteers): Flint Trading (Terry Flaherty), Colonna Transfer, BASF Corporation, Johnstone Supply, Virginia Korak, Patricia L. and Kenneth G. Majors, Bronze Eagle, NF&M Corporation, Leonard's Hair Design, Leaf Pest Control, John DiMarzio (Councilman), David Krizan (Councilman), Beaver Valley Sheet Metal, Pete Caltury, Darlene Moore, Craig Bloom, Monaca Turner's, Tom Suica, John Booher (Councilman), Irene and Chris Mangin, Mario Leone, Borough Manager, Bruce Robey, James Branthoover Agency 

PUMP HOUSE FRIENDSHIP GARDEN (UPPER LEVEL), BOROUGH BUILDING ISLANDS, LEAF PEST CONTROL PLANTER (In-Kind Services and Donations): Suzanne Modrak, Laura Rubino, Diane Manning, Mario and Brenda Leone, Sahli Park Committee, Chippewa, New Venture Landscape (Blair Getz), Patricia Majors, Virginia Korak, Frank Trella, Target (volunteers), Leaf Pest Control 

MONACA COMMUNITY CENTER  MEETING ROOM (Cash and In-Kind Services): Virginia Korak, Patricia L. Majors, Jeffrey McKay (Borough Council President), Mario Leone (Borough Manager), Anthony DiBacco (Councilman), Carl Biskup, Kathy Petrella, Sam Melchiorre, "Moby" Melchiorre, Lowe's

BAKER-BALDWIN CEMETERY (In­Kind Services and Donations): Rock Concrete (Richard Lawson), Colonna Transfer, Lowe's (Albert Antoline, Chris McKenzie, Evan Pierce), Rome Monument, Virginia Korak, M&M Lawn Service, Beaver County Historical Society (Bernard Catalucci, Advisor -former Great Arrow Historical Society)

FRIENDSHIP PARK AND PERGOLA (In-Kind Services and Donations): Virginia Korak, Patricia L. and Kenneth G. Majors, Steve Cable Tree Service, Sustainable Pittsburgh/Carnegie Mellon University, Home Depot (Team Depot), Ohio River Trail Council, Construction and General Laborer's Union, Electricians Apprenticeship and Training Committee, Carpenters Regional Training Center, Laborers District Council of Western Pennsylvania Training Center, Tuma Lawn Service, New Venture Lawn Service, Beaver Valley Landscape Supply, Borough of Monaca, The Stone Shoppe, TEC Electric, Yesko Electric, PennDot (Keep PA Clean, Great American Clean-up), M&M Lawn Service, Target (volunteers)

The Monaca Business District Authority has chosen Guy Rossi, owner of Rossi's Pizza, as the 4th Quarter Downtown Recognition Recipient. Guy has owned several businesses over the years. In the 70's and early 80's, he owned a pizza shop/restaurant on Pennsylvania Avenue. Everyone always loved his pizza and this was really his "signature". Later, he had a larger restaurant on Rt. 18 going north into New Brighton for a few years. Guy moved his business back to Monaca a few years ago.

Guy is always ready to help out with community events when he can. By returning to Monaca, Guy shows his dedication and loyalty to our town. Rossi's is now a family operation with son, David, and Brother, Gary, working with him. He has taught his children the value of giving back to the community as well. David serves as the Beaver County Controller and his daughter, Brandy, serves as a 2nd Ward Councilwoman.

Congratulations and thank you to Guy Rossi!

The Monaca Business District Authority has chosen the Monaca Borough Employees for the 3rd quarter Downtown Recognition Award. Specifically, we would like to recognize Mario Leone, Manager, Dawn Werthman, Secretary, Administrative Staff, Public Works Staff and Part-time Summer Staff. These individuals were chosen for assisting the Business District Authority, Monaca Volunteer Outreach and Happy Weeders notably with in-kind services, supplies and labor assisting with the downtown landscaping, Green Gateways Project, the Farmer's Market and more.

Their efforts inspire us all to maintain the beautification of our downtown. This kind of work ethic puts us one step closer toward our goal of making Monaca a more attractive place to live and shop.

The borough employees have also been an integral part of many important community life activities in town. Through their efforts, Monaca has enjoyed revitalization in the areas of business development and community life.

The Monaca Business District Authority (MBA) has chosen Patricia Majors and Virginia Korak as its 2^nd Quarter Downtown Recognition recipients for 2011.  Both ladies are being recognized for their involvement with the Green Gateways project and the “We’re Better Together” initiative.   

The Green Gateways project focuses on the park at 9^th Street and Atlantic Avenue, the green space at the corner of 17^th & 18^th Streets and all of 9^th Street.  The “We’re Better Together” initiative is a combined effort of the MBA and the Monaca Volunteer Community Outreach (MVCO) to recruit volunteers for community revitalization.  The focus will include a new park, improved crosswalks, decorative street poles and signs, planters, landscape beautification and more.  

Patty and Virginia also serve on the board of the Monaca Business District Authority on the Community Life committee.  The Board thanks them for their endless supply of dedication, creativity, energy and commitment to Monaca’s business district and community life and congratulates them on this well-deserved honor!

The Monaca Business District Authority has chosen Electric Garage Door Sales as its 1^st Quarter Downtown Recognition recipient for 2011.  This long-time business, owned by Christopher and Robin Heberling for the past 16 years, is being recognized for its investment, support and involvement in the downtown. They keep their storefront clean and decorated, participate in the Christmas decorating contest each year and take the initiative to display their product in the vacant storefront of the building rather than leave it empty.  Robin served on the MBDA board for a number of years and chaired the Business Development Committee.  She provided updates on businesses, distributed newsletters and information on events and happenings in the downtown to the businesses.  We appreciate their continued investment in the downtown.

Electric Garage Door Sales is located at 1128 Pennsylvania Avenue. Their phone is 724-774-3200. Be sure to call Chris and Robin for all your garage door needs.

The Monaca Business District Authority has chosen Dan Colville, Superintendent of the Monaca Highway Department as its 4^th Quarter Downtown Recognition recipient for 2010.  Dan is being recognized for his generous offers of the department’s assistance to the downtown initiative. Dan and his staff will help out with the clean-up of the Ninth Street Park, National Night Out activities, as well as other events where their help is requested.

The Board thanks Dan Colville and the Monaca Street Department for their cheerful willingness to be of service to the downtown. 

The Monaca Business District Authority has chosen the Monaca Police Department as its 3^rd Quarter Downtown Recognition recipient for 2010.

The department does a wonderful job of serving and protecting our community every day of the year.  But they are being recognized especially for their role in the Bike Rodeo held this year on June 12^th.  The officers invited children ages 6-12 to participate in the event. The purpose was to teach bike safety, the importance of wearing helmets and navigating an obstacle course. Not only does this event help the children to learn safety tips, but it also strengthens their relationship with the police officers. 

The members who participated in this year’s event were: Chief Bill Petures, Sgt. Mark Young, Patrick Young, Officer Ron Hogue. A big “thank you” to all of you.

The Monaca Business District Authority has chosen the Monaca Community Hall of Fame as its 2^nd Quarter Downtown Recognition recipient for 2010. The HOF is an active organization that promotes the community by using its storefront to display topical items and historical information on Monaca, interacts with the school district to encourage students to become an active part of their community, sponsors scholarships for Monaca students, recognizes the accomplishments of the citizens of Monaca in civic, professional and sports activities and is a gathering spot for meetings of community groups like the Monaca Alumni Association and the committees for Fallfest and the Christmas Hometown Celebration and Parade.  They regularly send representatives to attend the MBDA merchant meetings and participate in downtown activities like the Christmas decorating contest and Fallfest. They have a dedicated group of volunteers that serve the HOF as its board of directors. 

The Monaca BDA salutes this hard-working, dedicated group of volunteers and thanks them for their many contributions to our community.