South Fayette commissioners take next step in process to find new municipal building

Less than two months after South Fayette Township commissioners made the informal decision to look for locations for a new municipal building, they have zeroed in on a spot.

Commissioners unanimously agreed to enter into a sales agreement to purchase 10 acres off Hickory Grade Road for $300,000 from Intercare Properties.

The sale is conditional upon a 90-day “due diligence” period during which the property can be assessed, including a geotechnical survey, to assure development is feasible.

Commissioners unanimously authorized Civil & Environmental Consultants Inc. for that work for $50,000.

Tentatively, the plan is for the building to be home for township administration and police.

In December, commissioners, township staff and residents met to discuss the fate of the municipal complex and a possible recreation center. At that meeting, commissioners decided to prioritize a new municipal building and police station.

Township Manager John Barrett said the current building at 515 Millers Run Road is outdated and undersized.

“We are having a hard time conducting business,” he said.

The 20-officer South Fayette Township Police Department is crammed into 1,820 square feet.

“They have boxes piled to the ceiling,” Barrett said, adding that better accommodations for that growing department is the primary need for a new building.

Barrett said property came on his radar when it was slated to be developed for a four-story medical building. He said the development received a recommendation from the planning commission but stalled after that.

After the December meeting where commissioners decided to look for a new location, he asked the property owner about a possible sale and received a price.

The property is a wooded area on the southern side of Hickory Grade, between The Watson Institute and Pine Valley Drive.

Barrett said because the property was scheduled for development, many of the plans for site work are already in place. He said if the geotechnical survey yields positive results, pieces can fall into place quickly.

“It would be great if we could see that work start this year,” he said. He added that while the lot is 10 acres, he estimates about four acres can be used for development.

A new municipal building is one piece of the township’s strategic plan.

Barrett said the likely scenario will have the public works department and South Fayette Township Library stay at Millers Run Road. Public Works could see updated facilities.

The library may be housed in a building that includes a new township recreation facility.