Lower Providence Considering $20 Million Facility For Township, Police

LOWER PROVIDENCE, PA — Lower Providence is looking to move its operations to a new municipal complex, citing numerous safety issues and existing challenges in their current building.

Officials say that they've identified 800 Adams Avenue, located in the Park Pointe business park, as a "promising alternative." This would safe significant taxpayer cost, as the original plan called for the township to construct new facilities for police and administration.

"This alternative solution would provide 3.7 times more space than current facilities and allow occupancy 12-18 months sooner than new construction," a spokesperson for the township told Patch. "This initiative aligns with the Township's key requirements for safety and security, adequate space, and sufficient infrastructure while demonstrating fiscal responsibility to our taxpayers."

Lower Providence says their existing building has faced critical issues dating back to 1999, when feasibility studies pointed out issues with their security measures, space constraints, aging infrastructure, and police access impeded by public areas.

If the township built a new building, they say it would cost around $32 million, and take between two and three years to complete.

The Adams Avenue proposal, however, would cost just $20 million, and could be ready in as soon as 18 months, according to township estimates.

The plan still needs to be approved by the Board of Supervisors, who will discuss the issue and potentially vote on the Adams Avenue plan at upcoming meetings. The next meetings are set for Feb. 6 and Feb. 20, and both are open to the public.