Ford City, Pennsylvania

I. Infrastructure and Capital Projects

Waterline Replacement Project

Ford City continues its most ambitious infrastructure initiative in decades—replacing outdated cast iron and lead service lines throughout the community. This historic effort is improving public health, increasing water reliability, and enabling future road paving. Currently, Mainline work is approximately 85% complete and service line installations are approximately 50% complete.

• • Eight PennVEST payment requisitions have been submitted, totaling over $4.3 million.

• • Eight change orders have been approved, maintaining fiscal control while adapting to on-site conditions.

• • Bi-weekly construction meetings with engineers and contractors keep the project on schedule and responsive to resident feedback.

The work hasn’t been glamorous. Streets are torn up. Paving is delayed. Patience is understandably thin. Nearly every street has been impacted by the waterline project. While trench lines are being paved and patching has been ongoing, we know the conditions aren’t ideal. But this is real infrastructure work. What’s beneath the surface had to be addressed first.

Full resurfacing will not happen overnight. It takes planning, funding, and coordination beyond the utility phase. We are committed to doing it the right way, not the fast way, and we ask for continued patience as we complete the underground work and move toward the surface improvements our community deserves.

The Borough is now preparing for large-scale, long-term paving operations once underground work concludes. A full resurfacing plan is being developed, prioritizing the worst-condition roads first and coordinating with Peoples Gas and PennDOT to prevent repeat excavations.

Water Treatment Plant Improvements

Ford City’s multi-million dollar reverse osmosis facility remains a regional model for modern water treatment. To protect this investment:

• • Sixty new membranes were purchased under COSTARS pricing.

• • A PA Small Water and Sewer Grant was submitted to install a commercial dehumidification system to reduce corrosion risk.

• • Design engineering is underway for future upgrades, including system redundancies and building envelope improvements.

• • The Borough moved quickly to clean and replace pumps for Source Wells #2 & 3 to ensure a clean, reliable source of water to the plant. 

Stormwater and Street Infrastructure

The Borough is aggressively pursuing state and federal funding to rebuild outdated stormwater systems and rehabilitate major side streets:

• • A $1.9 million Appropriation Request has advanced through Congressman Thompson’s office.

• • A CDBG application was submitted for 10th Street surface and curb restoration.

• • A County Multimodal application was submitted for 9th Street restoration, including ADA-compliant curbs.

• • A $23,681.20 street name sign replacement project was awarded to Stevenson Equipment and came in well under budget. This project will allow for a Borough-Wide Street Name Sign replacement, leaving extra room for replacement of other signage throughout the Borough, improving public safety and aesthetic appeal.

PennDOT representatives met with Borough staff on-site at the 300 Block of O’Connor Street, where full road resurfacing is expected after utility work concludes. A grant-matching strategy is being considered to combine utility and Borough Liquid Fuel funds into a unified repaving effort to fully resurface this block due to the extensive utility work.

II. Storm Recovery and Emergency Response

A severe windstorm on April 29th toppled trees, damaged Borough facilities, and destroyed electrical infrastructure in the Ford City Memorial Park. In response:

• • Council declared a local emergency (Resolution 6-2025), enabling immediate response.

• • Crews cleared 11 large trees, repaired downed lines, and stabilized park structures.

• • Insurance claims are being processed for roof flashing, gutters, tree removal, and electrical service panels.

• • Residents were guided in reporting damage to qualify the region for PEMA support.

The Borough is thankful for the quick response of our local first responders and Borough employees to secure the area following the storm. 

III. Parks, Recreation, and Beautification

Malec Park (7th Ave. Playground) Rehabilitation

The Borough submitted a DCNR applications to fund:

• • ADA playground equipment

• • New fencing and surfacing

• • Renovated pavilion and bathrooms

• • Retaining wall repairs

Community engagement through surveys and public comment helped shape the plan, which also includes green infrastructure elements such as native plantings and improved drainage.

Trail System Enhancements

The Ford City Trail Improvement Project has been awarded grant funds through DCNR with a matching grant submitted to the Greenways, Trails, and Recreation Program (GTRP). If awarded:

• • Trails will be widened and resurfaced

• • Drainage will be improved to reduce runoff

• • New signage and rest areas will be installed

• • Trailheads will be ADA accessible and connected to downtown

Public-Private Partnerships

• • Local businesses have pledged labor and materials to restore the 9th Street PPG Tunnel, improving aesthetics and safety.

• • The Ford City Public Library is installing bike racks and story boards to encourage family use of the Ford City Memorial Park and inviting visitors from the Trail into town.

IV. Economic Development and Business Engagement

Façade Grant Program

The Borough has joined the Business Association’s Façade Grant Committee and is preparing a competitive DCED application for funding which can be used to:

• • Improve storefront appearances

• • Support small business investment

• • Revitalize the central business district

The Committee is meeting regularly and will soon be reaching out to local businesses to gather soft interest for the application. 

Codification and Policy Modernization

A partnership with American Legal Publishing is bringing all Borough ordinances online in searchable form and allowing a total review of all Borough laws and regulations. 

These efforts will reduce ambiguity, improve compliance, and attract responsible development.

V. Personnel and Governance

Hiring and Appointments

• • A full-time as Assistant Water Treatment Plant Operator was hired in preparation for our Lead operators retirement.
  • The Employee Handbook was updated for 2025 following the approval of a three-year CBA with our Street Workers Union.
  • Council appointed Charles Stull and Vicki Schaub as PSAB Voting Delegate and Alternate, respectively.
  • Resolution 7-2025 created a cash handling policy for small-scale office transactions for ease of service to our residents.

The Borough continues internal cross-training and succession planning to maintain service continuity.

VI. Grant and Funding Activity

Program	Purpose	Status	Amount
DCNR C2P2	Trail Improvement Project	Awarded 9/2024	$234,700
DCNR C2P2	Malec Park Rehabilitation	Submitted 5/2025	$237,500
DCED GTRP	Trail Improvement Project (Match to Awarded DCNR Grant)	Submitted 5/2025	$250,000
DCED SWS	Water Plant Dehumidification	Submitted 5/2025	$323,000
Appropriation Request	Storm Sewer Replacements	Submitted 4/2025 – Advanced to Next Stage	$1,940,928
CDBG – Armstrong County	10th St. Curb and Resurfacing	Submitted 6/2025	$135,000
County Multimodal – Armstrong County	9th St. Curb and Resurfacing	Submitted 6/2025	$159,600
PennDOT Multimodal	5th Ave. Streetscape – Phase 1	Submitted 1/2025	$996,000
DEP MORE Program	Commercial Energy Audit	Awarded 10/2024 – Completed 3/2025	$50,000
DCED Local Share Account (LSA)	5th Ave. Streetscape – Phase 1 (Matching Funds)	Submitted 11/2024	$299,000
DCED Local Share Account (LSA)	Dogwood Alley Roadway Improvements	Submitted 11/2024	$331,600
		Total	$4,957,328

These grants reflect a balanced approach—securing large-scale infrastructure aid while also pursuing small, targeted improvements to maximize ROI.

VII. Transparency and Community Engagement

Ford City Borough continues to engage residents with openness and accountability:

• • Seven Council meetings were held with complete public documentation available on the Borough Website.
  • Major items addressed include zoning, enforcement, property disputes, and permitting.
  • Staff maintain open-door communication and respond to daily inquiries by phone, email, and in-person.
  • Southern Armstrong Regional Police Department (SARPD) continues to provide professional, regional police service to Ford City and its other communities. While SARPD’s main station recently relocated to Freeport Borough, the Ford City station remains active as a substation, keeping officers present and engaged in our community. Their service and outreach have strengthened public safety across the region.
  • Facebook has become a valuable tool for the Borough to reach the public. Check out our page!

VIII. Code Enforcement and Blight Removal

Ford City Borough has made major strides in revitalizing our neighborhoods by holding properties accountable and addressing years of deferred maintenance and blight. At the forefront of this effort is our Code Enforcement Officer, Chris Yanoff, whose tireless work and hands-on approach have helped turn long-standing problems into action plans.

Relentless Efforts to Clean Up Our Town

Since taking on the role, Officer Yanoff has taken an active, visible approach to code enforcement. He has worked property by property to address:

• Long-abandoned homes with structural damage

• Unsafe properties requiring condemnation

• Overgrown lots, junk accumulation, and exterior violations

• Rental properties not meeting basic safety standards

Through field inspections, follow-up visits, violation notices, and court actions where necessary, Officer Yanoff is holding property owners accountable and ensuring every resident and business is held to the same fair standards.

Several unsafe, abandoned properties have now been officially condemned, setting the stage for future demolition. While these removals will take time and funding, the groundwork is in place to steadily clear out hazards and open opportunities for neighborhood improvement.

Codification: Giving Enforcement the Tools to Succeed

To support this effort, the Borough is undertaking a complete codification of its ordinances. This process will:

• Organize and clarify all Borough codes in one accessible, searchable system

• Make it easier for the public and property owners to understand what is required

• Give code enforcement clear authority and up-to-date tools to enforce violations consistently

• Close outdated loopholes and streamline the enforcement process

With the full code available online, Chris Yanoff and future officers will have the legal foundation and public transparency needed to continue these efforts efficiently and fairly.

A Safer, Cleaner, More Livable Ford City

The Borough is committed to removing blight over the coming years. Through steady condemnation, eventual demolition, and proactive maintenance enforcement, we are working to protect property values, increase public safety, and restore pride in our neighborhoods.

These improvements will take time, but the progress made in just the first half of 2025 shows what is possible when a community commits to meaningful change.

 

Conclusion

Recent years and the first half of 2025 have proven that when a community chooses progress over complacency, real change is possible. Ford City is no longer waiting for opportunity; we are creating it. We are systematically rebuilding our core infrastructure, revitalizing our public spaces, and laying the foundation for long-term financial stability and community growth. Our water system is being modernized after decades of neglect. Our parks and trails are transforming into destinations for residents and visitors alike. Our business district is beginning to turn a corner with renewed energy and partnership.

But this is only the beginning. In the months ahead, the Borough will begin preparing for major street resurfacing, pursue even more competitive grant funding, and build the operational capacity needed to sustain our growth. We will continue to face challenges, but with the hard work of our Council, staff, community partners, and residents, we will meet them head on.

The work is not finished, but Ford City is proving that a small town with a strong vision, a steady hand, and the will to act can achieve great things.

We thank every person who has played a part in this success so far, and we invite everyone to be part of what comes next. Ford City is rebuilding, renewing, and rising, and we are just getting started.