Mar 6, 2014 3 min read

GREENSBORO – A long-awaited project of the Greensboro/Monongahela Township Volunteer Fire Department to build a new truck house came closer to reality, thanks in part to the receipt of a $200,000 Keystone Communities Grant from the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Several years ago, the fire department purchased a kit for a steel building to be constructed as a truck house,but the department did not have enough funds to construct the building. The scope of the original project grew to include a new social hall when the department secured a $175,000 loan to purchase the vacant Holy Family Catholic Church along Front Street, just outside of Greensboro. They closed on the building in December.

“We paid $175,000 for the church, and the property that fronts the river came with it. There are several easements on the property from the Army Corps of Engineers,” said Joyce Drew, treasurer of the fire department. The easements will limit what the fire department can do with a large portion of the property, but it will finally be able to put up the steel building for a truck house next to the church.

“It will be built on the side toward Greensboro,” Drew said.

The church will become a multipurpose building serving as a social hall, warming center in times of extreme weather, a training center for the fire department, and be available to rent for wedding receptions and other functions. Drew said she expects the tradition of holding the Art Blast Art Show and larger meetings in the community will also continue at the new location.

“The (current) fire hall and its social hall are at the heart of the community in Greensboro,” said state Senator Tim Solobay in a press release. Thursday. “This grant will help with the expansion and renovation work that will allow the (new) facility to be used for many important community functions.”

The current hall, also along Front Street, will be sold when the new truck house is completed, according to Drew. She noted several people have expressed an interest in purchasing the old building at that time.

“Our Elm Street designation and the support of Senator Solobay and Representative Snyder have been vital in moving this project forward,” said Darlene Urban Garrett, Greensboro’s Elm Street manager. “It makes us very optimistic about the future of southeastern Greene County.”

Drew said ground will be broken for the truck house as soon as the snow leaves the area. The necessary work inside the church includes updates to the kitchen and making the basement handicapped accessible. A wheelchair lift is a consideration but is dependent on a recommendation by the project engineers and funding, Drew said. She noted there are several upcoming fundraisers to help the department continue to offset the costs of this and other projects.

“Our gun and cash bash is May 10. The doors will open at 4:40 p.m. It is being held at the Mon View Roller Rink. Tickets can be purchased from any fireman or at the water office,” Drew said. “We plan on hosting an open house when the truck house is completed.”