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Perkiomen Valley SD weighs sites, purchases and sketch-plan cost for operations building
Summary
Administrators outlined four options for a new operations building — use district land (Middle School West preferred), purchase a nearby 10,000-sq.-ft. building, buy the former state police barracks, or build behind Middle School East — and estimated a sketch-plan cost of about $5,000 for township review.
Perkiomen Valley School District administrators presented options for a new operations building, saying Middle School West is a leading site because utilities and access are favorable but several alternatives remain under review. "We've looked at pretty much all the schools," the presenter (Speaker 2) said, noting utilities and an existing ejector pump behind West could simplify connections.
The district is considering four paths: build on existing district land at Middle School West, use a hill site behind a school currently used for outdoor activities, place a structure adjacent to an elementary (which would require removing a field), or purchase an existing building. For purchase, the presenter pointed to a 10,000-square-foot property across the street currently occupied by Cadence Academy and listed at about $3,300,000. He also identified the former state police barracks — three buildings on roughly 3.5 acres, one of which houses an active gym — as a larger, but pricier, option listed near $3,500,000.
If the district proceeds with the West site, it would first provide the township a sketch plan to outline the concept for permitting. "If we decide to move forward with this option, the township would require a sketch plan," Speaker 2 said, and estimated the sketch plan would cost "in the neighborhood of around $5,000." Committee members raised travel-time and access concerns for a west-side location and asked about low-lying constraints on main-campus parcels. The presenter said he checked with John Moran at the township and that the Price parcel across from campus is in a floodplain and includes a defunct railroad right-of-way, which could increase construction complexity and costs.
The committee did not take a formal vote but Speaker 1 said the district has discussed the building for many months and endorsed exploring a task force to consolidate planning and avoid repetitive monthly updates. Next procedural steps include clarifying permitting needs with the township, refining cost estimates, and deciding whether to pursue a sketch plan or further investigate purchase options.
