Request for Proposals: Professional Engineering Construction Services

The City of Shamokin proposes to use a recent $500,000 legislative appropriation through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) made possible by U.S. Senator John Fetterman to undertake Phase 1 of critical repairs and renovations to the American Legion Memorial Building. This initial phase represents the first step in a larger, multi-phase effort to restore and modernize the facility.

The following narrative outlines the key responsibilities of the proposers for this phase, encompassing all services from initial design through to final inspection. Proposers should be aware that while the Scope of Services is intended to be comprehensive, it may not capture every minor or incidental engineering task that could arise during the project.

Required: (5) Five proposals which shall each include the attached “Standard Selected Firm Estimate”

Proposals will be accepted until July 21, 2025, prevailing time, 3:00pm, at which time they will be publicly opened. Proposals shall be on the forms required, sealed and clearly marked on the outside, “Engineering/Construction Services Proposal,” and submitted to:

Betsy Kramer: Program Manager
SEDA- Council of Governments (SEDA-COG)
c/o City of Shamokin
47 East Lincoln Street
Shamokin, PA 17872

Proposals that are faxed or e-mailed to SEDA-COG cannot be accepted.

Questions regarding this proposal should be directed to:

Betsy Kramer, Program Manager
SEDA-COG
570-524-4491 x 7203
bkramer@seda-cog.org

Download: RFP Shamokin American Legion Phase 1 6.16.25

SEDA-COG News Release

Lewisburg, PA – SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) has been actively investigating the potential mismanagement of two housing rehabilitation projects under our administration in the Borough of Berwick. Since discovering the potential issues in 2024, SEDA-COG reported the concerns to Borough officials and to the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development (PA DCED). PA DCED conducted its own investigation, resulting in findings regarding other past contracts in SEDA-COG’s grant-funded housing rehabilitation program.

SEDA-COG has a long history of working with municipal partners to create a positive impact in the region’s communities. Over the past decade, we have managed the rehabilitation of 308 homes in 14 communities with an investment of almost $15 million. The projects affected by the DCED findings represent a small number of total contracts.

As an agency devoted to public service, we continue to remain focused on improving processes and the delivery of services to the communities and the individuals we serve. We have restructured the management of the program and are committed to working with both the PA DCED and affected municipalities to efficiently and effectively take corrective action.

The SEDA-COG Board of Directors and staff are committed to providing transparency and accountability and will continue to brief its stakeholders on our efforts to comprehensively remediate the findings.

About SEDA-COG
SEDA-COG is a community and economic development agency in Lewisburg and is one of seven Local Development Districts in Pennsylvania. SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in the 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives.

For more information, please contact Nancy Osborn, Communications and Marketing Coordinator, SEDA-Council of Governments, at 570-254-4491 x7234 or 570-768-0525 or nosborn@seda-cog.org.

SEDA-COG HDC receives $450K PHARE funds to jumpstart CRIB project

Photo description: Currently vacant, this longstanding structure in the heart of Shamokin is set to undergo a multi-year, mixed-use redevelopment, with plans to include affordable housing and a potential business incubator.

Lewisburg, PA – SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) Housing Development Corporation (HDC) has received $450,000 from the 2024 Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund (PHARE), from the PA Housing Finance Agency (PHFA), to jumpstart its Coal Region Innovation Builder (CRIB) project in the City of Shamokin.

CRIB is a mixed-use redevelopment project taking a vacant, historic building in Shamokin’s downtown core and turning it into a vibrant community hub that will ultimately include eleven energy-efficient, affordable housing units and a proposed business incubator to support the local entrepreneurial ecosystem.

With housing affordability continuing to be an issue in the city and region, this project will implement a rent structure that ensures accessibility for lower-income groups.

By prioritizing affordable housing and the incubator space, the project will foster financial stability for low-income families and provide opportunities for community-based businesses, creating a lasting impact on household stability and the local economy.

The $450,000 PHARE funds will be used to initiate Phase I and II of the multi-year, multi-funded project, which is expected to cost over $5 million once completed.

The PHARE funds received will cover the acquisition of the building, exterior renovations, and begin development of the first two floors—the proposed incubator, one ADA-compliant housing unit on the first floor, and five additional housing units on the second floor.

Located in the heart of the multi-million-dollar downtown Independence Street streetscape project, the CRIB project is positioned to maximize impact by revitalizing housing options and commercial spaces as part of the ongoing efforts to enhance economic resilience in Shamokin.

This funding is part of a statewide initiative unveiled earlier this week by PHFA. This year, PHFA is distributing $73 million in PHARE funding to support 387 housing and community development projects across all 67 counties, reinforcing the Commonwealth’s commitment to addressing the housing crisis and expanding access to safe, affordable housing.

About PHFA
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency works to provide affordable homeownership and rental housing options for older adults, low- and moderate-income families, and people with special housing needs. Through its carefully managed mortgage programs and investments in multifamily housing developments, PHFA also promotes economic development across the state. Since its creation by the legislature in 1972, it has generated more than $19.7 billion of funding for more than 205,147 single-family home mortgage loans, helped fund the construction of 110,284 rental units, distributed approximately $362 million to support local housing initiatives, and saved the homes of more than 51,400 families from foreclosure. PHFA programs and operations are funded primarily by the sale of securities and from fees paid by program users, not by public tax dollars. The agency is governed by a 14-member board.

About SEDA-COG
SEDA-COG is a community and economic development agency in Lewisburg and is one of seven Local Development Districts in Pennsylvania. SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in the 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives. About SEDA-COG HDC
The SEDA-COG HDC is a 501(c)(3) corporation that works to enhance, promote, and develop housing opportunities for low-income individuals and families in order to relieve the poor, distressed, and underprivileged, to lessen the burdens of government, and to combat community deterioration.

SEDA-COG Welcomes Regional County Commissioners for an Insightful Morning of Discussions

Lewisburg, PA – SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) welcomed the regional county commissioners to participate in their Strengthening County Services Together event on Friday, May 30 at their headquarters in Lewisburg.

Seventeen commissioners from across the region were joined by SEDA-COG executive director, deputy director, program directors, and other staff members.

Executive Director Kim Wheeler greeted the county commissioners at the beginning of the event, expressing the importance of each of SEDA-COG’s programs and the significant impact that they have on the surrounding communities.

Wheeler remarked, “Today’s event is meant to be conversational and thought-provoking. Your insights will help shape our strategies moving forward and ensure that the services we provide are not only relevant, but impactful and support your needs and goals.”

The event consisted of breakout sessions where the commissioners and program directors reviewed the achievements of the 2024 calendar year. This was followed by discussions about future initiatives and how SEDA-COG can continue to enhance county services. These discussions were aimed at fostering collaboration and ensuring that the services provided by SEDA-COG continue to meet the evolving needs of the communities they serve.

In closing remarks of the event, SEDA-COG Board President and Snyder County Commissioner Joe Kantz said, “This meeting is to make us stronger and better together cumulatively, because the residents that we all represent care about what is happening in our region.”

Overall, the event was a success, highlighting the importance of partnership and open dialogue in strengthening regional governance and community support. SEDA-COG is a community and economic development agency in Lewisburg and is one of seven Local Development Districts in Pennsylvania. SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in the 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives.