By the end of the year, the centerpiece of one community in Lackawanna County will have undergone a face lift.
The Archbald borough building is almost 100 years old and officials said they have been working to improve functionality while preserving memories.
It used to be a Catholic school building.
Twenty years ago the borough of Archbald took it over to use as government offices, district court and police department.
"Stories I've heard from residents who went to school here at the parochial hall have said how nice it is how the building is being reused for the future generations," borough manager Steve Vincenti.
The work began last year and borough officials said the $159,000 to pay for it comes from a state grant.
Exterior painting, a new entrance canopy and restoration to the roof of the building is already done.
An addition workers are building will be a handicapped accessible entrance and a reception area for the police department.
Chief Tim Trently said right now, handicapped access is limited after hours.
"Once the borough closes at 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m., later on to access us they would have to call us by phone and we would have to go and meet them," Chief Trently explained
With the addition of two officers this year and possibly another next year, the chief hopes to have even more room for his expanding department in the future. On his wish list is a new holding cell to supplement his current one.
Borough managers said for now, focus is on exterior restoration work.
A parking lot will be repaved in the spring and will be used for police parking only.
Borough officials said the addition and new handicapped entrance should be completed by the end of November.
Depending on available funding, security cameras for the outside of the building are also a possibility.
The Archbald borough building is almost 100 years old and officials said they have been working to improve functionality while preserving memories.
It used to be a Catholic school building.
Twenty years ago the borough of Archbald took it over to use as government offices, district court and police department.
"Stories I've heard from residents who went to school here at the parochial hall have said how nice it is how the building is being reused for the future generations," borough manager Steve Vincenti.
The work began last year and borough officials said the $159,000 to pay for it comes from a state grant.
Exterior painting, a new entrance canopy and restoration to the roof of the building is already done.
An addition workers are building will be a handicapped accessible entrance and a reception area for the police department.
Chief Tim Trently said right now, handicapped access is limited after hours.
"Once the borough closes at 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m., later on to access us they would have to call us by phone and we would have to go and meet them," Chief Trently explained
With the addition of two officers this year and possibly another next year, the chief hopes to have even more room for his expanding department in the future. On his wish list is a new holding cell to supplement his current one.
Borough managers said for now, focus is on exterior restoration work.
A parking lot will be repaved in the spring and will be used for police parking only.
Borough officials said the addition and new handicapped entrance should be completed by the end of November.
Depending on available funding, security cameras for the outside of the building are also a possibility.
