Mar 12, 2013 2 min read

After more than a decade of nonstop singing, the Perry Como statue in downtown Canonsburg is getting a break.

“He’s got laryngitis,” laughed Terry Hazlett, borough manager, about the statue that’s dedicated to the late Como, who was born and raised in Canonsburg.

According to Hazlett, the music that played 24-7 has been shut off temporarily while the borough building undergoes major renovation.

The $1.3 million renovation project kicked off last week.

The first phase of the two-phase project will concentrate on the first floor, where the police department space will more than double in size, expanding into the former children’s department of the Canonsburg library as well as the borough’s storage area.

Renovation of the police area is expected to be completed by July 2, he said.

Phase two, which is set to begin in July, includes moving administrative offices to the former main floor of the library, installation of a command center for borough emergencies and changes to all borough restrooms to be handicapped accessible.

Hazlett said a lot of people have noticed that there’s no music in the town, but he’s quick to assure them it’s only temporary.

Hazlett said he’ll definitely have Como singing Friday for the announcement of the first inductees to America’s Pop Music Hall of Fame. But, he pointed out that’s just a one-day gig.

“I hope to have Perry singing full-time again by the end of April,” Hazlett said.