Choice of building study firms down to two

Township to decide next month on firm to study building needs

UPPER POTTSGROVE » Nine months ago, the Upper Pottsgrove Township Commissioners rejected the bids for a new $2 million public works garage on Heather Place.

The rejection came as the result of an outcry by residents that the cost was too high.

As a result, a committee of residents was formed to find a better solution. That committee no longer meets. Instead, the commissioners tasked the township planning commission with vetting firms that could provide a more comprehensive review of all the township’s building needs, not just the highway department.

The planners narrowed it down to two firms, KCBA Architects of Hatfield, which designed the renovations and expansion of Pottsgrove High School, and Alloy 5, an architecture firm out of Bethlehem.

Monday night, both firms made their best case to the township commissioners.

Each firm would undertake the study for about

$8,000, although the Bethlehem firm is about $1,200 less, said Township Commissioners Chairman Trace Slinkerd.

Each firm has fairly extensive experience in municipal buildings and representatives from each said they would give an honest assessment without trying to talk the township into an expensive construction project.

Opinion on the planning commission was split, said Commissioner Elwood Taylor, and no clear preference was made evident by the commissioners Monday night.

Instead, said Slinkerd, the board will vote to select a firm to conduct the study next month.

TWITTER RECAP: Tweets from the meeting.

Online: For a Twitter recap of the commissioners meeting, visit pottsmerc. com.