Former church is being converted for municipal use
By Linda Seida, Staff Writer
NEW HOPE — When the borough goes to bid again later this month for a project that will convert a former church for municipal use, officials hope to save $250,000 by slashing several items from the plans.
More than 10 bids received earlier this year were much higher than the borough had anticipated spending on the project.
The lowest bid of $1.8 million came in almost $250,000 too high. The highest bid was $2.9 million.
Borough Manager John Burke said the items that will be eliminated include some site improvements and the addition of a stairway to the rectory.
The site improvements included in earlier job specifications will now be bid separately from the work on the building itself.
The plans also call for the elimination of some “finishing work,” which will instead be performed by the town’s Public Works Department, Mr. Burke said.
”The architect estimates savings of about $250,000,” Mr. Burke said.
The borough paid $2 million to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia in 2007 for the former St. Martin of Tours Church and rectory. The town plans to spend another $1.5 million for conversion of the stone church and the two-story rectory.
A parking lot at the New Street site has a 90-vehicle capacity. The borough plans to apply parking revenue from the lot against its debt.
Plans include the renovation of both the church and the rectory. Plans also call for an addition of 1,884 square feet for use by the Police Department. Police quarters will move into the church’s basement.
The main area of the church, which was built in 1885, will be used for council meetings and other official functions as well as community gatherings. Offices will be located within the rectory.
The archdiocese closed the church in 2000 when the parish moved into a new church on Riverstone Circle.

