Irwin could move into its remodeled offices later this month, roughly five months later than anticipated.
A grand opening ceremony scheduled for mid-May has been postponed until mid-August, borough manager Shari Martino said Tuesday following a council meeting. Martino said the borough may be able to move into the new offices by the end of the month.
The borough initially expected to move in December, but the contractor has faced several delays, Martino said.
There were numerous change orders and hurdles in converting the former appliance store in the century-old building at 424 Main St. into a modern municipal office for administration and police. Revisions included plans to resurface and level the police department floor in the rear of the building, adding three exterior doors and altering office walls.
Graham Construction Co. of Claysville, the general contractor, informed council last fall the additional work would delay completion until around April 9. A spokesperson for Graham Construction could not be reached for comment.
The initial contract for the project was about $1.1 million, but council has since approved several thousand dollars in additional work and change orders.
Councilman Sean Stitely, a vocal critic of the cost overruns and delays, acknowledged the remodeling has been “slow” but said the project is coming along.
“It’s 100% better than both departments had before,” Stitely said.
The police department and the administrative offices are currently on the second floor of the building. Neither is accessible to those who cannot climb stairs; there are about 20 steps from the street to the second floor. The new offices will give residents street-level access.
Once the current offices are vacant, council may create a workspace for residents and businesses. Plans for the coworking space have not been finalized, but council has authorized spending up to $2,000 on furniture for the area currently occupied by employees.