Chalfont contemplates plans for former firehouse

Although it was built in the early 20th century, the former firehouse on North Main Street is one of Chalfonts most historic buildings.

As it redevelops the property for a new police station and public parking, borough council is committed to preserving the original 1903 portion of the structure, which once housed borough hall, the post office and the Chalfont Fire Co. The borough, which paid $465,000 for the building and grounds, took ownership Oct. 1.

Council on Tuesday night approved a $3,500 contract with Boyle Construction Management, of Allentown, to examine two options for reuse of the site and come up with cost estimates.

Both alternatives envision renovating the two-story historic section, which has rusticated concrete block walls and a peaked shingle roof, and possibly renting space to outside tenants. The first option calls demolishing two modern rear additions on both sides of a five-bay garage, which would be converted into a police station. The second option would raze all additions and construct a police station from scratch.

Council President John Engel said the consultant will examine issues affecting the original building, including a leaky roof, water infiltration, asbestos insulation, lead paint and cracked concrete blocks.

For budgetary purposes, we need to get our arms around the cost of preserving that building, he said. I believe there is a strong desire of council to preserve the historic part of the building.

Other council members indicated their support for preserving the former firehouse. The building is within Chalfonts historic district, which is both certified under the states historic preservation law and on the National Register of Historic Places.

Borough Manager Sandra Zadell said Boyles report will provide initial cost estimates for preservation, the police station and parking. The 2015 budget will allocate $140,000 for engineering and architectural work, with the expectation that construction would begin in 2016.

The borough will apply for grants to offset some of the cost, but it is too soon to tell whether the town will need to dip into its capital reserve fund or borrow money to cover expenditures, according to the manager.

We dont know the future price yet, she said.

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Chalfont contemplates plans for former firehouse