Blawnox survey reveals residents prioritize road repairs over new housing
A majority of the 45 respondents rated local streets a 4.3 out of 10 and called for more paving, while praising the borough's safety and community events.
By Lorenzo Patterson ·
Blawnox residents told borough officials they want better roads, and they want them fixed soon. A survey distributed to all homes in the borough in July shows that street and pavement satisfaction is the community's top concern. Respondents gave local roads an average score of 4.3 on a 10-point scale. This rating stands in contrast to high marks for neighborhood safety, which a majority of participants rated between 8 and 10.
The borough sent the questionnaire to approximately 1,100 households. The survey was included in the July newsletter, and responses were due by the end of the month. Council President Debbie Laskey presented the findings to council members on Oct. 14. The data was intended to help officials craft a five to 10-year plan and establish clear priorities for the community.
Only 45 residents completed the paper survey, representing about 4% of the borough's population. Borough Manager Cory Dennison defended the sample size, noting that many political polls operate with even smaller margins. He stated that while the survey was not a scientific poll, it provided a useful baseline for understanding resident sentiment. An online version of the survey was attempted but scrapped due to inconsistent wording that altered the questions.
Mayor Anthony Gross said the results align with his observations of the town. He noted that the borough is actively seeking grants to address the paving backlog. The borough is pursuing $275,000 from the Gaming Economic and Tourism Fund and a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant through Allegheny County. Both grants require a $25,000 local match. It was unclear when the award decisions would be announced.
Beyond infrastructure, respondents expressed a strong preference for maintaining the current character of the town. A majority of participants said they would like to see more shops and restaurants rather than new apartments or industrial development. Gross acknowledged that the business district is currently bustling with little vacant space available for new tenants. He said officials work with prospective businesses but face spatial limitations.
Community events remain a high priority for residents. An overwhelming majority of respondents indicated that these events are important to their families. When asked to rank specific types of activities, residents listed parades as their favorite. This was followed by fireworks, carnival games, food trucks, and live bands. Laskey said she was pleased by the high level of appreciation for borough activities and hopes the data will inspire more residents to volunteer for future events.
The survey also captured opinions on local governance and services. Several respondents wrote comments expressing disappointment over the loss of the local police force. The Blawnox Police Department was absorbed by the O'Hara Township Police Department in January 2025. Officials stated the merger was necessary to address manpower and financial concerns. Gross said he misses the independent department but noted that the change secured jobs for the officers and provided better coverage for the town.
Demographic data from the 45 respondents showed 22 identified as female, 16 as male, and seven did not indicate gender. The average age of respondents was 70. The survey did not ask questions about household income or the number of people living in a home. Laskey encouraged residents to continue attending council meetings to voice concerns. She noted that once an issue is raised in that forum, it remains on the agenda for discussion.
