The Upper Allen Township Fire Department held a groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday as it begins a $3.2 million building renovation project at its fire station at 104 Gettysburg Pike.
“In order to attract people, you need to have a nice facility because people don’t want to volunteer their time to come out to something that they always have to repair,” Upper Allen Township Fire Department Chief James Salter told abc27 News.
The project will add a two-story addition to the existing building, which was constructed in 1984. Demolition work is in progress at the station at the existing office, meeting and living quarters, which will then be replaced by a two-story structure.
Township manager Lou Fazekas said bids for the project were accepted at the township’s September meeting and Mowery is coordinating the project.
The renovated facility will help cater to college recruits from Messiah College and HACC who learn the ropes for firefighting, and in turn, earn boarding.