Getting an Update
CRANBERRY TWP — More than $3.1 million worth of renovations have started at the township’s municipal center, but residents may be hard pressed to notice.
Most of the initial construction is taking place outside of the public’s view in a section of the building that previously housed the police department.
Located in the southwest portion of the building, the space that’s been vacant since 2005 is being transformed into a place for preschool classrooms and activity rooms.
While the renovations only represent a small piece of the overall construction plan, township manager Jerry Andree said it’s all in an effort to better cater to residents’ needs.
“We’ve seen a lot more public demand for meeting spaces,” Andree said during a tour of the facility. “This is the people’s space, and we certainly support people meeting here.”
The only other work being done now is on the facility’s 100,000 square-foot roof, which is being replaced for the first time since 1990.
“We’re striving for no interruptions of our normal business process,” said assistant manager Duane McKee.
He said most of the parks and recreation department will be temporarily relocated in several months once work starts there to renovate some offices.
Other improvements will include renovation of the entire back of the building to make the structure seem less industrial. Crews will add brick pillars and faux windows.
The building’s front doors will replaced by sliding glass doors, he said, while crews will build an outdoor garden and reading space next to the library on the west side of the building.
Crews also will install LED lighting to replace industrial lights.
The public space will get new carpeting and potentially a new welcoming center that residents would see when they walk in the front doors.
Thirty of the 39 heating and air conditioning units on the roof will be replaced.
The renovations are expected to continue until December.
