By: Linda Seida
NEW HOPE Before the summer tourist season begins, the historic New Hope Visitors Center will undergo renovations to make it easier to use, according to Rob Loughery, a consultant working on the project with the borough’s Revitalization Committee.
Two grants will finance the work. One, for $50,000, comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Commerce and Economic Development and was secured with the aid of Sen. Joseph Conti (R-Bucks). The second, for $30,000, comes from the Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor.
Between 70 and 80 percent of the $80,000 total will go toward making the center handicapped accessible and meeting the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The ADA, is a federal law enacted in 1990 that is designed to try to make society more accessible to people with disabilities.
Twining Construction Co. of Newtown, Pa., will construct a ramp on the building’s exterior on Mechanic Street. The center’s bathrooms will be renovated to make them more accessible, including wider doorways. Work could begin within a week, Mr. Loughery said.
The Borough Council awarded the renovation contract to Twining on Feb. 11. The firm will perform the work for $66,877, council President Richard Hirschfield said.
The remainder of the grant money will help fund other improvements to the interior, including a paint job, according to Mr. Loughery. Also, recessed lights will replace the current track lighting fixtures, and part of the roof above the entranceway will be redone in slate. Slate already is in place on the remainder of the roof.
The building dates to the mid-1800s, according to Sharyn Keiser, chairperson of the Revitalization Committee. At one time it housed a jail, she recalled. Borough Hall also was located there at one point, Mr. Loughery said.
In January, 934 visitors made use of the center, according to Councilwoman Geri Delevich. The center also fielded 288 calls and mailed out 47 brochures last month. A total of $195 in donations were collected and $36 in sales made, Ms. Delevich added.

