Wednesday the work began and it will take till next week to finish! When I tried to find out just what was being done and how long it would take I tried the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, (Penn Dot) web site. I was unsuccessful in finding anything about the project on line but did find some numbers to calls for help.
According to Val, “It’s from Route 381(around the Jones Mills post office) to 711 (around the PNC bank) on Route 31, that’s about a mile and a half.” This is the Gateway to the Laurel Highlands and when it’s done it will be one smooth ride! On Wednesday the milling work began on both sides of the road. There were no signs posted about the drop offs!
The resurfacing with asphalt begins as soon as the milling work is completed. As Route 31 is down to one lane you may end up sitting outside of the Prudential Preferred Realty Office. Here’s a slide show of the construction and the gang that works in the Prudential office! Remember you pass the office on the way to Hidden Valley, Seven Springs, and the Laurel Highlands!! Stop in for ANY OF YOUR REAL ESTATE NEEDS!
If you don’t want to deal with the construction and are headed to Seven Springs, when you exit the turnpike turn right, then turn left on Hellen School Road, at the cross road turn left (it’s County Line Road) and you’ll end up at the four way stop by the Champion post office and gas station.
Many of you are wondering “WHAT” is being constructed on the left hand side of the road when you exit 91 of the PA turnpike on the Laurel Highlands Gateway (Rt 31)! According to the Donegal Township Supervisors it’s a Holiday Inn Express!
Sitting on approximately 7.9 acres some of the rooms will overlook Donegal Lake. Located across from the Laurel Highland Campland center it will give visitors another housing option during our four seasons of fun.
As we have NO city sewage these folks have to build their own treatment plant. It’s called a “packaged plant” and this one will hold up to 20,000 gallons a day. The hotel will not have a restaurant so locals are watching closely to see if a small franchise might come in too!
We keep sharing with you that this stretch of Route 31 has potential for business growth over the next 10 years. Consider that 80%? of the 2,800 homeowners from both resorts exit the turnpike at Donegal to get to their places!! Then add the tourists coming into visit the Laurel Highlands all four seasons!! We’re sure that the Family Dollar Store, Rustic Lodge Furniture, and the new Holiday Inn Express checked out the traffic count before they opened their doors!
If you have an idea for these consumers to spend money or just need more room for your company, we have the space! Check out the Visual Tour on our listing at 3843 Rt 31. With over two acres of ground and frontage on both Rt 31 and School House Lane this building is ready for you to take possession!
The Mountain Watershed Authorities annual wildflower walk in the Indian Creek Gorge will be held on Saturday, May 8 at 9AM. Meet us at the entrance to the Indian Creek Gorge (turn toward Camp Christian from Rt. 381 between Normalville and Mill Run, near the Mill Run Reservoir) for a leisurely 1-2 mile hike in the gorge. Wear sturdy shoes and a jacket, and bring water. Our wildflower walk is led by local naturalist and MWA Board Member Lisa Smith. Please contact Lindsey with any questions! Call her at 724-455-4200.
If you want an unguided wildflower walk we suggest the first mile of the rails to trails from Champion to Indianhead. Here is a link to the MAP. We have been walking this trail for years and Abe has identified over 150 different wildflowers on this first mile. The trillium and marsh marigolds are in bloom. The Marsh Marigolds are a yellow plant growing in a wetlands area on the left about .2 miles on the trail and the trillium at the 1 mile marker on the left. See our previous blog for more on this spectacular wildflower bed. .
Given the state of the economy we were stunned to see multiple transfers of commercial and farm properties in 2009. These sales were not transferred through the West Penn MLS. What that means is if you wanted to use them as comparables you would either have to search the Westmorland Deed site or visit the court house in Greensburg.
We keep sharing with you that there are strong currents working to make Donegal a memorable Gateway to the Laurel Highlands. Building and expanding our local businesses certainly will help! You spending time and money here keeps the excitement growing!
Family Dollar – It’s the first franchise store along the Route 31 corridor after the fast food and gas stations that you pass by when you exit off of the turnpike at Donegal. This store just celebrated its first anniversary, it’s that new! We picked up the transfer dated September 2009 for $880,000.
The 6 Pack Shop NOW Taylor Jo’s 6 Pack Shack– This parcel is located on the right when you turn on to 711 from Route 31 as you’re headed to 7 Springs. The building had several rentals inside along with the small restaurant (great fried chicken) that sits on just less than an acre. Dine in or take out, they’re running daily specials 724-593-2401. The property transferred December 2009 for $250,000.
Leepers Grocery– This was once a grocery store and is located on Route 31 headed towards Mount Pleasant about 2 miles off of the Donegal turnpike exit. Lots of remodeling going on here! New owners have made rental space available. With just over an acre of ground this property transferred in June of 2009 for $190,000
Laurel Highlands Personal Care Home -This parcel is on the right as you cross the bridge off of Route 31 onto Route 711 headed to Ligonier. With approximately six acres and a large building this property transferred in December 2009 for $875,000.
There were two farms sold in Donegal Township during 2009. Both showed more than 100 acres! Both of these transferred in April 2009. One for $660,000 and the other was for $550,000.
Commercial Property Across from the Family Dollar Store
If you’d like to be a part of our growing community here’s a great opportunity! This parcel is DIRECTLY ACROSS from the Family Dollar store. With over 2 acres the site has frontage on both Route 31 and School House Lane. Seller is willing to sell or rent. Upgrades include new roof and paint in 2007, lot seal coated and lined in 2009. Call Wags for more details at 800-419-7653.
Seven Springs Tops In The Country For 48-Hour Snowfall
Seven Springs Mountain Resort just topped the list of ski resorts nationwide for total natural snowfall in a 48-hour time frame!
The list created by OnTheSnow.com places Seven Springs at number one in the country with a natural snowfall total of 27 inches in 48 hours. Since January 1, the popular Laurel Highlands resort has received 35 inches. According to the National Weather Service, Seven Springs is expected to receive 14 – 16 additional inches by the morning of Saturday, January 9, 2010.
“Conditions are phenomenal here at Seven Springs,” added Dick Barron, Director of Ski Operations. “This winter has been shaping up to be one for the record books as it’s been quite some time since we have seen a winter like this.”
The abundance of snow is also allowing for construction and snowmaking for the creation of the resort’s Superpipe, which is ranked number one on the East Coast by Transworld Snowboarding. This project is coming along smoothly and the pipe could be open by month’s end.
if you haven’t made plans to come up for this weekend, now’s the time to do so! The hotel has rooms available for the weekend, as well as condos and cabins. Please call (866) 437-1300 for more information or to make a reservation.
MLK Weekend Package
January 15 – 18, 2010
Make the most of the three day weekend and make a new memory at Seven Springs! This new package features two nights of lodging, breakfast, unlimited skiing during your stay, snow tubing and up to two kids age 11 and under are FREE! This package starts at only $299 per adult. Don’t delay, book today! Learn more…
Here’s a first for our resorts! Hidden Valley has teamed up with Touchstone Center for Crafts to bring us this celebration. According to the web site “November 7 and 8 will feature interactive art demonstrations, arts and fine crafts exhibitors, children’s workshops, live music, and great food.”
What makes this different than a regular “craft show” is the input from Touchstone Center for Crafts. When originally founded in 1972 their mission was to ‘foster interest in the preservation of traditional mountain crafts.” That’s where the demonstrations including metal working, blacksmithing, pottery, and painting come into the event. They have expanded their class offerings to include more modern arts and crafts. Check out their class schedules.
This should be an awesome weekend to enjoy the mountain activities especially with the Steelers playing on Monday! There will be chairlift, pony, and horse-drawn wagon rides for all to enjoy! Food wise you’ll have a great selection! The open fire pit will offer smoked beef brisket, Mountain Jambalaya, oyster stew, grilled bourbon barbecue salmon and barbequed turkey legs.
Kelly, a good friend of ours is very excited to be demonstrating and hopefully selling her hand made glass bead jewelry. Here’s a picture of her working the glass! Check out the Hidden Valley site for a list of artists and crafters.
Kelly Making Beads
See you there and remember to post about your experience!
This month the Donegal Community Design Workshop was held at the local community center. The 24 page DRAFT crafted from the last charette was shared with those of us who attended. This Draft is a large PDF with tons of pictures so if you are linking to it go grab a cup of coffee! Anyway if you exit 91 off of the PA turnpike to partake in any of the resorts activities or to visit any part of the Laurel Highlands YOU should REVIEW the draft.
We keep sharing what is happening at the local community levels that 10 to 20 years from NOW will be making huge impacts on our visitors impressions of areas. What type of community will we grow up to be?
The attendees at the workshop were given the opportunity to select a table topic from six or seven hot issues ranging from a visitors center to signage. One of our personal and professional passions is seeing a viable Visitors Center to WELCOME all of the guests that come through our GATEWAY TO THE LAUREL HIGHALNDS. Pay special attention to pages 12 through 14 as there are aerial photos highlighting areas of great interest.
The Donegal Township web site list important contacts for anyone considering a business opportunity. Remember we have an incredible commercial offering right along Rt 31 across from the Family Dollar Store. It has over 6,000 square feet of space to work with, a flat parking lot, new roof…. And 2 acres the possibilities are endless!
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