West Deer officials say new municipal building was necessary: 'There is nowhere else to go'

Construction is ahead of schedule on the $10.6 million West Deer municipal building, which is expected to open by late October.

People can watch daily progress through a livestream on the township’s website.

“It looks great,” Supervisor John Hollibaugh said. “I’m happy with the progress, and I think everyone will appreciate the new space.”

The expansive complex will replace the current building, which opened in 1952 as a public works garage and that staff has long outgrown.

“There is nowhere else to go and nowhere else to grow,” township Manager Daniel Mator said.

“As the township grows, we require greater staffing.”

In the existing building, multiple employees share offices, which Mator said leads to inefficiency and frustration. Four police officers share one cubicle, and four sergeants share a 10-by-16-foot office, he said.

“We’ve gotten 72 years out of this building and have gotten our money’s worth,” Mator said.

Supervisors expect the new building will provide the same life — and also will save the township on repeated repair costs. Taxpayers have spent nearly $227,600 on fixes and upgrades in the past decade, Mator said.

New construction was necessary because the cost to renovate or expand the building was prohibitive, he said.

A 2007 study found it would cost about $800,000 to bring the current building up to code — with no additional space.

“That cost in today’s dollars would be in the millions and, again, would not provide additional space,” Mator said.

The new facility will sit adjacent to the current building but take up a lot more property along East Union Road.

Designs include about 8,500 square feet for the police department, about 4,000 square feet for administration and 4,250 square feet for the board and community room.

Supervisor Josh Wiegand suggested that updates be listed on the township website as a service to residents.

“It’s important to keep residents informed and give them updates when stages of the building are completed,” he said.

Construction is being paid in part through two state grants: a $1.5 million Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant awarded in 2021 and a $1 million Local Share Account grant from 2023. The balance will come from a $7.5 million bond issue and the township’s capital reserve fund.

Township officials have said the work should not increase taxes for residents.

Work is coming in lower than budgeted, Mator said.

“The office spaces are smaller yet more numerous and functional than the old building’s offices,” Mator said. “There was no fluff in the design.”