Falls Twp. Hires Architectural Firm For Municipal Building Redesign

FALLS TOWNSHIP, PA — The Falls Township Board of Supervisors voted to hire an architectural firm as part of their recent renovation project for the township's municipal building.

Last Monday, a vote of 3-0 secured the hiring of IEI Architects, a Philadelphia-based architectural firm, for the design phase of the municipal building's renovation project. The Board opened bids for architectural services back in May.

Grace Construction's Project Manager, James Gates, recommended the firm to the Board while overseeing the bidding process. The construction company was hired by the Board back in February at the very beginning of the renovation project.

“Throughout the RFP process, IEI exceeded expectations from proposal detail, preparation for their presentation, and delivery of materials during their interview,” Gates said. “IEI commented that they wanted the renovation of your building to be community-focused which I believe is exactly what the Township is looking for with this project.”

Supervisors approved the firm's five-phase proposal in the amount of $1,364,402, as well as authorized fee reimbursements in an amount not to exceed $33,000.

Two other firms were interviewed in addition to IEI, according to Township Manager and architect Matthew Takita.

“IEI exceeded the other firms in scope and enthusiasm,” said Takita. “All the references came back with glowing remarks.”

Supervisors John Palmer and Erin Mullen, members of the building project committee, also recommended the Philadelphia firm, with Palmer commenting that he liked IEI's "energy" in relation to the project.

“They were ahead and above everybody else,” Palmer said.

The firm anticipates that programming will be done by early July and schematic design being done by mid-August.

Design development is anticipated to finish by Sept. 9 and construction documents are scheduled to be completed by Oct. 1. The construction phase is expected to go out for bid on Jan. 1 with IEI overseeing construction administration from Feb. 1, 2023, through Feb. 1, 2024.

Once the renovation project is complete, the building, located at 188 Lincoln Highway in Fairless Hills, will have upgrades and updates that will make business flow more smoothly. Shared, flexible conference rooms, incubator space for start-up businesses, as well as additional support and amenity spaces, will be made available.

Supervisors Jeff Boraski and Brian Galloway were absent from the vote.