Irwin residents should be able to walk into the borough’s new administrative offices and the police department next year without having to navigate a series of steps — making both accessible to those with handicaps.
The proposed design for the new offices for the administration and police department were unveiled on Feb. 4 to borough council, to the general approval of borough officials.
The project may be advertised for bids come spring and work could begin on the renovations by summer, then be completed within six-to-eight months, said Scott Maritzer, an architect and project manager for Civil & Environmental Consultants of Monroeville, which is designing the project.
For the public’s convenience and to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act, the borough’s administrative offices will be moved from the second floor to the first level now occupied by Rosendahl’s Appliance Store, whose lease for the storefront expires at the end of March.
The will be a double door to the lobby area in front of the new administrative offices, which could be furnished with a showcase for displays and have seating for residents, Maritzer said.
Restrooms will be made to comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act, Maritzer said.
There will be offices for the borough manager, Shari Martino, and the mayor, as well as a conference room and a lunch room, Maritzer said.
A door to the steps leading to the existing second floor offices will be blocked off, Maritzer said.
With the proposed design, those visiting the police department will be able to walk on a marked pedestrian crossing on Western Avenue to an door leading to a ramp that opens to a secure lobby where residents could contact a police officer by using a buzzer, Maritzer said.
“I’m very happy with what we came up with,” said Chief Dan Wensel.
The lobby area would be similar to that of the public entrance to the North Huntingdon police station, Wensel said, which has a secure entrance to inside the police department, Wensel said.
The police chief’s office will be in the basement area of the rear of the building, which is lower than Main Street because of the sloping alley. There will be space for six desks for the officers and will have space for restrooms and a shower, Maritzer said.
The five holding cells in the basement will be replaced with one large holding cell, Wensel said. The existing side entrance will be used by officers who are bringing a suspect into the station, Wensel said.
The renovations to the first floor office space is expected to cover about 2,600 square feet, Maritzer said, with the basement renovations spread between 3,000 square feet to 3,800 square feet, Maritzer said.