Plum officials have taken the next step in developing a new municipal center.

Council approved a $16.5 million contract from Rycon Construction Thursday night.

The Pittsburgh company was the lowest of 11 bidders.

The so-called town center would house a police station, municipal offices, gym, a plaza and a community center — essentially an all-in-one government service center — near the public works and EMS buildings along Old Mine Road.

Construction could begin as early as next month, weather permitting.

“I’m very excited to begin the process of building a true community center in Plum,” Borough Manager Michael Thomas said. “From the very beginning, the focus of the design of this facility has been all about the community.

“We did not simply design an office building within which to conduct borough business. We’re constructing a true community center that creates more opportunities to bring the entire community together year-round.”

It is unclear when the project would be completed.

The current Plum Community Center is located at 499 Center-New Texas Road.

Councilman Ryan Delaney said the new construction means new possibilities for everyone.

“I think it’s an incredible investment in our community,” Delaney said. “It’s really going to enable us to make our already awesome events even more awesome. I’m really excited for the amphitheater most of all. I envision a summer concert series and musicals.”

Borough officials have been working on the project for the past several years.

The center would be built on a 110-acre lot near the Renton Volunteer Fire Department station and aforementioned buildings.

The hope is to sell or lease the current borough building and lot to retail developers and use that money to help pay for the center construction. A retailer has not been announced.

Massaro Construction of O’Hara was tapped as the project’s construction manager.

Councilman Mike Doyle said he expects great work from Rycon, which also has Massaro’s seal of approval.

“They’re a big operation and we’re thrilled to have them,” Doyle said. “I trust Massaro. They’re solid people and they were thrilled that Rycon came in.

”That building is going to be amazing. It’s going to be state-of-the-art, very ‘green’ and up for many decades and we’re doing it all without raising taxes. We’re pretty proud of that.”

Doyle said borough officials have spoken with several supermarkets and other businesses about developing the current borough building site. He declined to give any names.

“It’s a prime spot, and this side of the borough needs that kind of development,” Doyle said. “It’s still on the front burner. The location there is phenomenal with the ball fields right there. This side of the borough doesn’t have anything.”

Council approved the town center land development plan and authorized the project to go out for bid in October.

Massaro has worked on multiple borough projects through the years, including as the construction manager for the public works and EMS buildings along Old Mine Road.

Plum took out a $15 million bond. Of that, $12 million would go toward the town center, $2 million for stormwater projects and $1 million for parks and recreation.

The borough’s bond counsel is Ron Brown of Cohen & Grigsby. Its bond underwriter is Piper Jaffray.

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