Contracts Awarded for Lansdale Arts Center, Municipal Complex Renovations

Lansdale Borough Council, in two separate 7-2 votes, approved on Wednesday professional services with Spiezle Architects for the design and construction of a new borough complex and for 311 W. Main St.

After much debate—and a failed majority vote to table four action items—Lansdale Borough Council Wednesday voted 7-2 to authorize a contract with Spiezle Architectural Group related to the design and construction of a new municipal complex, housing the police department and the borough hall administration. Council also voted 7-2 to authorize a contract with Spiezle for the design and renovation of 311 W. Main St. The dissenting votes in both instances were Democratic Councilmen Jack Hansen and Rich DiGregorio Jr.  Hansen also made the motion to table the votes related to 311 W. Main St. and the borough complex, seconded by DiGregorio Jr. The motion was defeated in a 7-2 roll call vote. "I'm sitting here wondering why we’re having a special…

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Municipal Complex Design Needs RFP: Lansdale Mayor

'You have a facilities study done and now that same person is getting the work,' Mayor Andy Szekely told borough council.

At the recent Lansdale Borough council meeting, Mayor Andy Szekely and councilmembers debated over the necessity of Requests for Proposal in the conceptual design of the renovation of the Lansdale municipal complex. Szekely's current stance: The borough should not hire Spiezle Architects, and commence an RFP process and hire bidding firms for the alternative design options for Lansdale Borough Hall and Lansdale Police headquarters. The borough's current stance: Spiezle was hired to complete a facilities and grounds study, and are a "trusted advisor" that should submit conceptual designs for the project. A special meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday at 9 p.m. at Lansdale Borough Hall, to consider a motion to vote on a contract for …

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The Lansdaleian

Editorial: Lansdale Borough Hall Should Be A Proud Relic

An opinion piece on why and how Lansdale Borough Council should keep a part of Lansdale's past — and why 311 W. Main should be completed first

When I was a boy, growing up in Towamencin, I was surrounded by amateur carpenters who do impeccable work. My father, uncles and Pop-Pop Di Domizio would take their etched- or permanent marker-monogrammed tools and construct a new deck, back patio, addition, mantel, bookshelves — you get the picture. I can’t speak for the other members of my family, but at least for myself, I also grew up in a home where six projects were going on at one time. I love my parents’ finished basement; I don’t love how they can’t use the other half of the attic. The plywood only covers the joists so far. It wasn’t until I was nearing my wedding when their back porch finally got enclosed. I don’t live in that home anymore. I do live in Towamencin, but in an …

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The Evolution of Lansdale's Train Station

Since early railroads were the cogs that drove growth and development in towns along their routes, it’s not surprising that residents of these communities took great pride in their train stations

Since early railroads were the cogs that drove growth and development in towns along their routes, it’s not surprising that residents of these communities took great pride in their train stations. In the case of the North Penn Railroad, the line’s supervisors early on cautioned against building permanent stations until they could determine which stops actually had the potential to expand. That was typical up and down the NPRR in the 1850s and 1860s. Most depots were glorified wooden shelters just big enough to offer some protection from rain and snow. As time passed these primitive structures were replaced by better accommodations. Most of the second generation stations were still made of wood, but there were exceptions – case in point the…

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Chestnut Street Playground Project Getting $195K Grant

Montgomery County Commissioners approved last week a Community Development Block Grant to help fund the rehabilitation and renovation of a community park in Souderton Borough

The Chestnut Street Playground is set to get a $195,000 Community Development Block Grant from Montgomery County Department of Housing and Community Development. The full requested amount was approved by commissioners last week.  The construction of the playground has a focus on special needs and accessibility. The grant will do the following, per description of the grant in the county's proposed CDBG municipal allocation document: The Chestnut Street Playground, also known as the Wile Avenue Playground, at Wile Avenue and West Chestnut Street in Souderton is considered a hidden treasure in the borough. Located across the street from Emmanuel Lutheran Church and Souderton Mennonite Church, it is a popular gathering place for Souderton …

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Township Saves $4K With Police Console Update

The new console unit and security camera upgrades are part of the department's renovation of its communications center

Montgomery Township Police have begun digging into the allocated $50,000 for its Communications Center Project. The police department is looking to renovate its communications center, which has equipment dating back to 1995, according to Deputy Chief Scott Bendig. This means upgrading and replacing everything from the carpets and paint on the walls to the radios and computers. On Jan. 3, supervisors unanimously approved to purchase a communications console unit for $18,797.43 from Wright Line LLC. Supervisors also spent $1,373 over its budget for new surveillance cameras, approving a $11,373 purchase from Troxell Communications Inc. The cost of the console was originally projected at $22,000. Wright Line and Troxell Communications are …

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News and notes from Thursday night's North Penn School Board Meeting

The following items were approved by the board

On Thursday night, the North Penn School Board met at the North Penn Educational Services Center.  Here are a few of the more noteworthy items that were approved by the board.

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