CLEARFIELD – Clearfield Borough is going to be seeing changes in two landmarks in coming months.
During Thursday’s borough council committee meeting, the planning committee discussed site plans for the renovation of the Sheetz store on the corner of Front and Nichols streets and the renovations of the entrances at Clearfield Penn Highlands Hospital.
Code Enforcement Officer Larry Mack said the Sheetz renovation will include extending part of the front of the store about 6.5 feet towards the pumps as well as a complete redesign of the interior to include a beer cave and table seating.
New pumps and gas tanks will also be installed, a grease pit will be added for the cleaning of pots, which had been cleaned outside, and a fenced in area for the dumpsters.
Council member Jim Kling asked if anything will be done about the entrance to the parking lot from Front Street. He noted how drivers turn into Sheetz from Front Street after crossing the Nichols Street Bridge, which is an illegal turn, creating a dangerous situation.
Mack replied that the state Department of Transportation has elected to not make changes, adding that PennDOT has the area signed “no left turn,” not that it makes a difference.
The work is scheduled to begin in October or November and take four to six months, at which time the location will be closed.
The other project at the hospital will result in changes to the way people enter the hospital and the emergency room.
Mack explained that the area where the emergency room entrance is now will be raised to be level with Turnpike Avenue and that is where the new entrance will be.
Only emergency vehicles and crews will have access to that entrance. Family members coming to be with ER patients will enter through the front of the building and be directed down a dedicated hallway to the ER.
The front entrance will also be renovated with more efficient access.
Mack said he understands that the helipad for Stat MedEvac will also be moved, but he hasn’t seen plans for that. The current parking lot will remain for now, but more changes are coming to the design and layout of the hospital in the future.
Mack did not have an exact date for the start of the hospital work, but they could start very soon.
Also, under code enforcement, Mack said there has been an ongoing problem with skunks, snakes and rodents in the borough, and he reminds residents that borough ordinance requires garbage put out for pick up to be in garbage cans with lids.
Grass and brush also need to be cut and not piled up as this provides shelter for the animals.
Residents are also reminded of a borough curfew for minors. The police have been dealing with kids out at all hours, and vandalism. Curfew is 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Otherwise, the kids will be taken to the police station and their parents or guardians will be called.