RJ Menchio guides one side of the bridge being installed at Butler Memorial Park into place Thursday morning, April 18. Eddie Trizzino/Butler Eagle

Workers installed part of a new bridge over the stream in Butler Memorial Park on Thursday morning, April 18, which is the last part of the renovations Butler is making in the park.

The projects in the park, which also included the installation of three play sets, began last summer, when the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler allocated $1.4 million in Community Development Block Grant from CARES Act funding to park improvements. A portion of that money also was allocated to the authority’s Emergency Housing Repair Program, and Father Marinaro and Rotary parks would also receive improvements.

Veronica Walker, acting executive director of the authority, said Thursday that WK Thomas, a Butler-based construction company, is doing the work. She announced to the authority board of directors Thursday that placement of the bridge was scheduled to begin that morning.

Workers with Greco Steel placed the metal frame of the bridge Thursday morning, but the wood part would be placed later. The bridge is downstream from another walking bridge over the creek that runs through Butler Memorial Park.

The authority also is still looking to hire a clerical worker, who would staff the office during the three days per week the authority operates, and potentially more in the future.

The authority board of directors is also still down one member, a position that is appointed by the mayor of Butler.

Brian McCafferty, chairman of the redevelopment authority board of directors, said while the authority owns some property in the city, the main role of the board is to allocate funding that comes through Butler.

Workers with Greco Steel prepare a piece of bridge to be placed over the stream at Butler Memorial Park on Thursday morning, April 18. Eddie Trizzino/Butler Eagle

Jerry Harris, with Greco Steel, walks across a piece of the bridge being installed at Butler Memorial Park on Thursday morning, April 18. Eddie Trizzino/Butler Eagle

Workers with Greco Steel place a bridge piece over the stream at Butler Memorial Park on Thursday morning, April 18. Eddie Trizzino/Butler Eagle

RJ Menchio unhooks the crane from a part of the bridge being installed Thursday, April 18, at Butler Memorial Park. Eddie Trizzino/Butler Eagle