More than two decades ago, state and local officials began envisioning Doylestown’s North Broad Street corridor with a public park, a modern borough hall and a state-of-the-art home to a regional police department.
During a recent interview, John Davis, the borough’s manager, said that dream will bear fruit this fall. “The construction completion date is Aug. 23 and our targeted move-in is late September.” When finished, the complex project that is transforming a 1930s-era former PennDOT office building, will house a 16,800-square-foot borough hall and a 13,400-square-foot Central Bucks Regional Police Department.
“It’s designed with a capacity to grow,” said Davis, of the police department. “It will be a huge civic improvement.”
A much-anticipated, 3½-acre public park adjacent to the new administrative complex is also progressing, the manager said. With trails connecting to some of the neighboring communities, a “formal lawn,” similar to New York City’s Grant Park, is planned, as is a tot lot, in a second design phase.
Hardscaping, including sidewalks, both within the park and along the street, along with a “civic plaza,” benches and a flag pole should begin soon, Davis said. He didn’t rule out a small stage or amphitheater in the future. The summer months will see more landscaping and additional tree plantings. The park is expected to be “useable” by Oct. 19, he said.
