Lock Haven City Council voted Nov. 24 to authorize the solicitation of bids for a new police station, with the caveat that the city will not release bids until the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) completes its review.

City planning staff told council the project has been in development since 2023 and has cleared site planning and bidding-document preparation. “We received $500,000 from the local share account and $1,000,000 from Senator Casey’s appropriation that was funneled through USDA,” the city planner said, noting the federal review is the gating step before bids may be issued. Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in April or May 2026 if weather and approvals allow; staff estimated the construction contract at roughly a 380-day period.

Council members pressed staff on project size, cost estimates and timing. One councilor asked whether a smaller footprint would reduce cost and whether shrinking the square footage could save money; staff responded that redesigns would incur engineering costs and risk the expiration of grant funding, including a grant that expires in mid-2027. The planner said the current design already reflects a roughly 20% reduction from the original feasibility recommendations to keep the project economical.

The motion to authorize solicitation of bids was made from the floor and seconded. In discussion, members emphasized the multi-year nature of the project, inflation since initial borrowing, and the question of how City Hall space will be reallocated once the police move to the new facility. Staff said some city-hall rehabilitation funds would be used to cover remaining gaps and that final financing will rely on a mix of prior borrowing and grant offsets.

The council approved the motion by roll call. The authorization records the council’s permission to bid contingent on USDA approval; staff will not advertise or open bids until federal sign-off arrives.

Council will return future contract and bid results to the council for approval before construction begins.