Published December 21. 2019 11:00PM
South Whitehall staff will vacate the administration building in February 2020 and relocate to a rental facility while the first phase of the campus master plan improvement project begins.
Township Manager Renee Bickel said, during the Dec. 4 commissioners’ meeting, about 40 employees will move out, taking their computers with them, until the end of 2020.
The police department will remain on site at the present Walbert Avenue location.
Director of Finance Steve Carr reported phone lines with existing numbers will be set up at the temporary office for staff and resident communication.
Public meetings will take place at Springhouse Middle School.
When the project was presented at a public meeting in the spring, the plan was for personnel to remain at the township complex during the renovation and construction process.
Carr said the decision to move out evolved after discussions with Boyle Construction.
He said staff will be safer if they are not on the scene while work is in progress.
Carr noted contractors will not have to set up safety barriers for employees and will be able to work more efficiently when the building is unoccupied.
The result will be decreased construction time and monetary savings.
“By us moving out and by getting an early start with winter work in February (2020), we can have big savings,” Carr said.
He anticipates the rental cost will be $200,000.
Bickel reported South Whitehall representatives are working with an agent to find appropriate space for the relocation period.