Architect Chosen for Verona Streetscape Project

Verona Borough officials are making progress on a plan that will help revitalize the borough's business district.

At Tuesday's borough council meeting, officials approved the recommendation of the Verona Business District Advisory Committee to hire architect Richard P. Rauso to design an improvement plan for the borough's streetscape project.

The borough received a $40,000 county grant to go toward the architecture and design of the project, so the Allegheny Valley North Council of Governments will officially hire Rauso.

Michael Vento, the architecture and design chair for the Verona Business District Advisory Committee, said the borough won't be responsible for any design costs.

The project includes infrastructure improvements—such as lighting and landscaping—to the Allegheny River Boulevard business district.

Vento said the committee heard proposals from three firms and liked Rauso's the best.

"It's exciting, inviting and feasible," he said.

Earlier this year, county Community Development Block Grant grant.

Verona Councilwoman Rhoda Gemellas-Worf commended the committee members for their hard work on the project.

"They put a lot of time and effort into this project," she said. "It's for the betterment of Verona."