Lower Moreland moves to advertise bond parameters, advances Feathers Mill fire station plan and awards demolition bid

The Lower Moreland Township Board of Commissioners voted July 14 to authorize advertising bond parameters for a second borrowing tied to the Feathers Mill fire station project and approved the demolition contract for two existing structures on the project site.

Commissioner Joseph Kennally, chair of the public safety committee, introduced design consultants who presented revised exterior materials for the proposed station and said the board’s immediate decision pivots on massing and materials, not final colors. The design team recommended a primary stone-and-stucco façade with limited brick trim to reduce cost and better fit the neighborhood, while leaving color selection for a later date.

Jamie Lynch of CHA, appearing online, gave a detailed timeline and budget update. She said the project remains contingent on several external reviews: multiple PennDOT traffic reviews (including Highway Occupancy Permit reviews), Montgomery County NPDES permitting via the conservation district, and the township’s land-development review. “We’re at a pretty critical stage with respect to the authorities having jurisdiction over three distinct elements of the project,” Lynch said, adding that PennDOT’s comments will affect Huntington Pike improvements and ultimately the bid readiness and cost.

Lynch also outlined grants the township is pursuing, including a RACP request (itemized at $10 million with a conservative planning figure of $1 million for budgeting), PennDOT MTF and an additional DCED transportation grant. She said the township can accept only one of some overlapping grants and that the grant mix will influence the size of a later bond sale.

Bond counsel briefed the board on a financial strategy that spreads borrowings over multiple issues to diversify interest-rate risk and retain favorable call provisions. Counsel said the parameters ordinance that the board authorized advertising would permit up to $12 million to be advertised (a DCED requirement to ask for a bit more), while guaranteeing the township will not issue more than $10 million for this sale. The sale is planned for Aug. 19 with closing later in September; the parameters resolution would come back to the board for a formal vote at its Aug. 11 meeting.

After discussion the board voted by voice to authorize advertising the bond parameters ordinance. The motion was presented as an approval to advertise only; bond counsel emphasized that final public action to incur debt will return for a later vote.

On the demolition contract, the township opened four bids for removal of two existing properties on the Feathers Mill site. The engineer recommended awarding the work to low bidder BRB Contractors at $88,000. The board moved, seconded and approved awarding the demolition contract, clearing the way for abatement and removal work ahead of site construction.

Officials cautioned that the total estimated construction budget remains in the $25–30 million range used for planning and that final grant awards and PennDOT requirements will shape the third and final borrowing. Lynch said the next realistic milestone is a spring bid period next year followed by roughly 18 months of construction once work is under way.

What’s next: the board will consider the parameters ordinance in August and return with any updated bid and grant information as PennDOT and county permitting reviews are completed.