The Bucks County Commissioners broke ground today at the future site of the updated Lower Bucks Government Services Center, announcing the impending start of construction on a project that will greatly improve public access to county government.
When complete, the two-story, 39,000 square foot facility in Bristol Township will house accessible offices for 13 County departments, including some row offices and court offices.
“For far too long, essential government offices and services have been difficult, if not impossible to access for too many residents of Bucks County,” said Chief Operating Officer Margie McKevitt. “This administration considers it our obligation to ensure county government serves everyone who lives and works here, and we’re proud to be taking this tremendous step today toward meeting that goal.”
PHOTO: Officials on Thursday broke ground in Bristol Township at the future site of the new Lower Bucks Government Services Center. From left, David McHenry, of Erdy McHenry Architecture; Margie McKevitt, Bucks County Chief Operating Officer; Gail Humphrey, Bucks County Chief Clerk and Deputy COO; Craig Bowen, Bristol Township Council President; Bucks County CommissionersGene DiGirolamo, Commissioner Chair Bob Harvie, and Commissioner Vice Chair Diane Ellis-Marseglia.
Departments with permanent offices in the new building will include:
- Adult Probation
- Board of Elections
- Children & Youth Social Services Agency
- Consumer Protection/Weights & Measures
- District Attorney’s Office
- Domestic Relations
- Health Department
- Juvenile Probation
- Prothonotary
- Register of Wills
- Sheriff’s Office
- Veterans’ Affairs
- Workforce & Economic Development
The new facility will be built on the County’s campus along New Falls Road where it will replace the existing, outdated 8,600 square foot county government building. The new building will provide updated workspaces for departments already in the existing building, while bringing those with offsite offices into a single, convenient location.
Construction costs, though not finalized with some work still out to bid, are estimated at about $25 million. The bidding process for this project is expected to conclude by the end of the year.
Designs for the new building have been produced by Erdy McHenry Architecture, with land development engineering services provided by Carroll Engineering and construction management to be performed by TN Ward Company.
Construction is expected to begin in early 2024 and take about two years.
Media Contact: James O’Malley, 215-348-6414, jtomalley@buckscounty.org