Residents complain about noise from new bar

Some Dormont residents, upset over noise generated by outdoor concerts and trivia games at Fire Bar and Grill, a new bar on Potomac Avenue, expressed their frustration during the borough council’s virtual meeting held Monday via Zoom.

The bar, which has been open for more than a month, was sent a notice from the borough Monday that it was in violation of Dormont’s noise ordinance.

“The noise is consistently at levels that I believe are a violation of code and which has routinely impacted my peace and my ability to enjoy and use my property,” said Anne Geraud, who lives nearby.

Ms. Geraud said she was told various times since June 26 that performances would end at 9 p.m. but then was told they would end at 10 and 11 p.m.

She said she was also told the performances would only be held once a week.

“It’s escalated to Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Last week added Tuesday and Wednesday,” Ms. Geraud said. “I feel as if my home has been assimilated into a performance venue.”

Mark Hagarman also lives near the bar and said he’s never seen such a live outdoor performance venue in Dormont — a place he’s lived in for nearly 40 years.

Eileen McCabe, whose home is closest to the bar, said she’s “all for the business” being able to operate, but “the noise level has just been incredible.” She said upward of three bands play most nights until 11 p.m.

She added that some people have started to urinate on the garage across the street from her house, as they don’t want to go back in the bar.

Dormont fire chief/code enforcement supervisor Mat Davis said he and borough Manager Ben Estell went to Fire Bar and Grill last week and did a decibel recording on an evening when bands were playing.

“We did find they were in violation of our ordinance regarding decibels,” Mr. Davis said. “I did hold an in-person meeting with the owner of the bar today, and he was very sincere and is willing to make some changes to address the neighbors’ concerns. He’s going to make some changes to the band location, the volume of the speakers, and we are going to continue to monitor it. If they are in violation again, we will make him aware of it and have it addressed on the spot.”

He added if the problem continues the bar would be cited and the case would be referred to the local magistrate.

In other action, Mr. Estell said the approximately 100-year-old Dormont gymnasium is to be demolished within the coming weeks. Continental Construction of Pittsburgh will be paid about $57,000 to raze the structure, which sits behind the Dormont municipal building.

Mr. Estell said at the Monday meeting that the first intent was to fix the gym, but upon examination by an engineer, it was found there were structural cracks in the buildings and that two walls would need to be replaced as well as other repairs, just to get the building to a usable state.

Repair estimates were in excess of $600,000, which included $140,000 to replace two sets of stairs and $350,000 to repair/replace the walls and roof.

“None of that really is to make the gym any nicer,” Mr. Estell said. Upgrades to make the gym more usable would put the total cost at close to $1 million.

The building is set to be torn down within the next 60 days and will take about a week to accomplish. In the meantime, the Dormont Fire Department will be using the building to conduct training exercises.

It is council’s intent to construct another gymnasium/recreation center, but Mr. Estell said it will be a few years before that is built.