By Linda Seida, Staff Writer
NEW HOPE — The borough will hold an open house next week, welcoming visitors who would like to view the town’s new offices and public meeting facility that have been crafted from a former Roman Catholic church.
The borough will hold an open house from 5-7 p.m. Nov. 16 at the facility, 123 and 125 New St.
The first meeting of the Borough Council to be held in the new facility will begin at 7:30 p.m. following the open house.
The facility is located in the former St. Martin of Tours church and rectory. The stone church, constructed in 1895, is located on the west side of New Street between Riverwoods Drive and West Mechanic Street.
Although the church’s stained glass windows no longer grace the space, the public meeting room’s arched windows and high ceiling are just two reminders of the building’s former use.
Borough administrative offices relocated from the cramped North Main Street quarters to 123 New St. over the summer.
Council meetings used to be held in the New Hope-Solebury Middle School cafeteria on West Bridge Street.
All borough services can be found at the New Street site. Located there are the offices of the borough manager, the treasurer/assistant manager, the administrative assistant, the fire marshal, the code official and the zoning officer.
The Police Department completed its move at the end of September, transferring from the old North Main Street facility to 125 New St. The space includes a sally port that will provide better safety and security for officers and department employees and two new cells. There were no cells in the North Main Street quarters, only a 6-foot by 6-foot cage.
The Police Department is housed in the former church basement. Renovations included an addition of 1,884 square feet. Administrative offices are located in the rectory. Council meetings will be held in the main church area.
The borough bought the church and rectory on a 3.1-acre parcel of land in 2007 for $2 million. The parish retained 2.6 acres, including a cemetery.
St. Martin’s parish moved to West Bridge Street at Riverstone Circle nearly 10 years ago.
