By John Tredrea, Staff Writer
A $1,460,000 contract for the conversion of the Masonic Temple, at 88 E. Broad St., Hopewell Borough, into a new borough facility was awarded to a Marlton firm by Hopewell Borough Council on Dec. 16, Clerk Michele Hovan said.
Work on the project is expected to begin next month, she said.
When the new Borough Hall is done, the Hopewell Fire Department will take over full use of the building at 4 Columbia Ave. — the current site of municipal offices.
The fire department now occupies a portion of the bottom floor of the two-story building.
The contract was awarded to Dandrea Construction of Marlton.
”The project involves converting the 1950s-era former Masonic Temple into a new Borough Hall, to be used for municipal operations, including municipal court,” Ms. Hovan said.
”Alterations made to the existing two-story, 6,540-square-foot masonry building will include the entire replacement of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems; new bathrooms, a courtroom, and borough offices. All existing windows and doors will be replaced, and on the second floor the windows will be made larger. The existing front porch will be repaired. The new 800-square-foot addition will be located on the rear of the existing building, and house the elevator and egress stairs,” Ms. Hovan said.
Work to be done by Dandrea includes the installation of a permanent vault to accommodate the zinc orthophosphate system — used to remove impurities from drinking water — now housed in the side stairwell at the Masonic Temple; and exterior improvements to the front (East Broad Street entrance) area, including the replacement of the sidewalk at the front portico and bluestone pavers and stair treads at the portico.
