On April 17, Northampton County Public Works Director Michael Emili and Executive Lamont McClure provided County Council with preliminary plans for a new parking garage and office building at the Easton campus.
McClure stated that the county has spent millions on its parking garage and "it's still falling apart." It has a useful life of about three years. He said it needs to be replaced as a matter of safety. "I do not want anybody to be injured in there."
The parking deck was built in 1975 and was estimated to have a service life of 35-40 years. There are 298 parking spots, including the parking lot on Washington Street. Massive repairs to the deck were conducted in 2010, 2016 and 2023. Pieces of concrete are still falling and water seeps through joints and cracks, picking up minerals and staining cars parked there.
In addition to a new parking garage, McClure believes a new county building is necessary for various departments that need more space. Chief among these is the elections offices, which essentially runs three elections twice a year. Expanding that office will increase transparency and enable more people to see official canvassing as it occurs.
"Human services has outgrown its building," McClure said of the facility located at Emrick Boulevard. We wants to move the Department of Community and Economic Development as well as the Juvenile Probation from the Human Services building to the Easton campus. The Controller's office is out of date and not ADA compliant. The DA's office is bursting at the seams.
McClure wants a solution that will solve the county's space needs for the rest of this century.
The new office building would be a three-story, 31,000 sq ft facility. The new parking deck (346 spaces) would be directly behind it. The first floor of this new building would be dedicated solely to elections.
The second floor would be dedicated to the entire Fiscal Affairs Department.
The second floor of the existing courthouse building would be used to use the DA and Controller.
The third floor of the new building would house the Exec,, Human Resources, Solicitor and Community and Economic Development.
McClure stated that he would need to discuss the proposal with the DA, Courts and Controller.
No cost estimate was provided.
23 comments:
Here he goes again spending taxpayer dollars. There go our taxes! Get rid of him! He is worried about people getting hurt. What about putting handicapped parking ACROSS the street so more people can be hurt by that STATE OF THE ART CROSSWALK! He and Council are a joke! I'm ASHAMED to say that I live in NC.
The parking garage is dangerous and should have been torn down years ago.
Elections in a fish bowl ?
Not a bad idea, but let the in-fighting begin.
We can’t have people getting hit in the head with chunks of concrete. That must be what happened to Barron.
Why didn’t Stoffa build a larger Human Services building ?
Elections needs more room, and it needs to be in one place. The band-aid approach is not ideal.
Guessing this will be another reason he can give county employees thier raises.
“No cost estimate was provided.” Well, of course not. McClueless needs to wait until he’s elected to his final term, then he can unveil the final costs and ask Council for a huge tax increase.
How about new construction in DOWNTOWN EASTON? You come to the Courthouse and there is no place to have lunch. You have to walk downtown, up and down the big hill, and you're lucky to find a parking space. The Courthouse cafeteria is a disgrace. Who did the study for expansion? Please don't tell me Steve Barron. He screws everything up that he touches. How about a "Human Services Building in Bethlehem? Was a study done to see who is using the services provided at the Human services building in Bethlehem Township and then construct a new building where the bulk of you clients come from? AND while you're at it, You need a salary study done more than you need office space. When is Big Mac going to do the fair thing and have a professional pay survey done?
Relocating people from the Human Services building to this new building - what will they do with the empty space in the HS building?
Also, the DA’s office is bursting at its seams? Isn’t staffing at an all time low there?
"Relocating people from the Human Services building to this new building - what will they do with the empty space in the HS building?
Also, the DA’s office is bursting at its seams? Isn’t staffing at an all time low there?"
Human Services is overcrowded bc juvenile probation and DCED are there. The building should be devoted strictly to human services and relocating those departments makes sense.
Though staffing is currently low, it won't be for long. It was too small when John M was there and Terry Houck waned more space.
"Was a study done to see who is using the services provided at the Human services building in Bethlehem Township and then construct a new building where the bulk of you clients come from?"
Yes, that study was done before the site was selected. The HS building is located at the best and most accessible place for people who need it, in the near geographic center of the county.
"How about new construction in DOWNTOWN EASTON? You come to the Courthouse and there is no place to have lunch. You have to walk downtown, up and down the big hill, and you're lucky to find a parking space."
Easton has numerous wonderful restaurants. When we had a good cafeteria, I still used to walk downtown regularly for lunch with a number of people. Going uphill increases the heart rate and is excellent exercise. APeople really should be walking more. The reason we have no cafeteria is bc the people who run it can't really make a profit. Frankly, I'd rather see businesses in Easton benefit. I do not know how the admin feels. I think a canteen with vending machines is the best option.
That’s great if you’re in decent shape. What about the elderly, handicapped, moms with toddlers and pushing strollers? People with medical problems? Thats a pretty selfish take that people need to walk up the hill because its good for them. What if they can’t?
Instead of helping give the employees a livable wage, better healthcare or trying to fix the unhealthy conditions that they currently work in, McLiar wants to build a new building? If there’s no money for helping employees there should be no money for this eyesore.
Has moving the entire government center to a more suitable location outside of Easton been considered? Easton is inconvenient and unwelcoming to county employees. The townships seem more hospitable, accessible and civilized. Parking abounds. Relocation would also save employees from the hated Panto County Employees Commuter Tax. Why stay in Easton? It's a big county.
Good thing the county building on broad st in Bethlehem was sold off and also the old wolf building in Easton. Guess they actually needed the space they eliminated.
"That’s great if you’re in decent shape. What about the elderly, handicapped, moms with toddlers and pushing strollers? People with medical problems? Thats a pretty selfish take that people need to walk up the hill because its good for them. What if they can’t?"
The reason so many people are not in decent shape is bc they refuse to walk. As for the elderly, they really should walk. It will extend both life and quality of life. If someone really is physically unable, as opposed to being too lazy, there us a restaurant right across the street. No hill. There is another two blocks away. No hill. The selfish persons are those who think we should cater to a sedentary lifestyle. We should do the opposite.
Didn't know that you are also an MD.
Why not use all the empty space at Gracedale for county offices? Their census is half what it used to be. What is all the empty space used for, storage of junk? There are multiple parking lots that can accommodate many vehicles.
BOH: “The reason so many people are not in decent shape is bc they refuse to walk.”
When and where did you get your medical degree? I have generally enjoyed reading your blog for some insight, occasional thought- provoking debate, and much amusement. That being said, your comment on people’s mobility is one of the more callous generalities you have ever posted. I did not realize that arthritis, certain heart conditions, cancer, etc., etc., etc. were caused by laziness. I’m glad you turned your life around physically, but come on!
My comments are not directed at people who have medical conditions that prevent mobility. The simple reality is that too many of us have become sedentary and lazy. I know this bc I get that way myself. That requires no medical degree. We are meant to walk. When we don't we develop other medical conditions that can be avoided, particularly obesity. Once again, I speak from personal experience. As I said before, people can walk across the street to a restaurant. Therre's another just two blocks away. You can walk down and up a hill without dying, by the way. If you have arthritis, which I have, walking actually helps. If you have high blood pressure, just 12 minute of walking causes an immediate reduction. Try it. It might make you a more positive person than you seem to be.
Good thing the county building on broad st in Bethlehem was sold off and also the old wolf building in Easton. Guess they actually needed the space they eliminated.
wow are you either ill informed or just an ignorant blog poster.
I would answer these questions for you but you wouldn't be able to comprehend what I wrote
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