State Sen. Steve Santarsiero, along with local state representatives, announced that state funds from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program will go toward a number of projects in the area.
$1.3 million to Bristol Borough for redevelopment project
Santarsiero and Rep. Tina Davis announced this funding to redevelop multiple properties along Chestnut and Elm Streets in the borough.
“Bristol Borough has seen great economic growth and revitalization in recent years, attracting new businesses and residents to the area. The redevelopment of the vacant properties at Chestnut and Elm Streets will help the borough continue to expand its appeal and breathe new life into the area,” said Santarsiero. “I’d like to thank Gov. Wolf for allocating RACP funds for this project, which will help Bristol Borough complete a vision two decades in the making.”
“I am so proud that Sen. Santarsiero and I were able to secure $1.3 million in RACP funding to redevelop the vacant properties at Chestnut and Elm Streets,” said Davis. “This funding will help to rehabilitate these dilapidated properties and help rejuvenate the entire area. This redevelopment is one more sign of Bristol Borough’s revitalization.”
The project is a partnership between Bristol Borough and the Redevelopment Authority of Bucks County. Specifically, the funds will be used to purchase seven units on Chestnut Street, clearing the way for the demolition and redevelopment of vacant units in the area.
“This project is so vital to the continuing renaissance of Bristol Borough,” said Ralph DiGuiseppe, Bristol Borough council president. “On behalf of council and Mayor DiGuiseppe, I would like to thank Sen. Steve Santarsiero and Rep. Tina Davis for their hard work to bring this critical funding back to Bristol Borough.”
$1 million for Croydon Fire Company Emergency Services Building
Santarsiero and Davis also announced this funding for the Croydon Fire Company for the construction of a new Emergency Services Building.
“I’d like to thank Gov. Wolf for supporting our request to dedicate RACP funds for the Croydon Fire Co Emergency Services Building project, which will provide the fire company a modern facility from which to serve the community,” said Santarsiero. “The upgraded space will streamline fire station operations, ensuring the volunteers of the Croydon Fire Company have the resources they need to respond to community emergencies safely and efficiently.”
“I am proud to work with Sen. Santarsiero to bring this critical funding back to our district,” said Davis. “This $1 million in grant money will help expand and renovate the Croydon Fire Company’s Emergency Services Building. The renovated building’s upgraded operations will enable its firefighters to more quickly get to residents in danger. This is literally life-saving funding and I thank Gov. Wolf for approving its allocation.”
The renovation will be a two phased project. The first phase will entail the demolition of the existing building and site work. Phase two will be the construction of the new building. The new building will contain an engine room, an enhanced decontamination area for equipment, office space and living quarters.
“Our organization is a completely voluntary fire company that serves a very challenging area, protecting residents, schools and businesses between an industrial chemical plant, three major highways and the Delaware River,” said Croydon Fire Company president Bob Struble. “This funding is crucial to allowing us to make the necessary improvements to our station to meet these challenges. We are grateful to Sen. Santarsiero and Rep. Tina Davis for this incredible effort.”
$1 million for Falls Township Fire Company renovation
The senator and Rep. John Galloway announced this funding for the renovation of Falls Township Fire Company No. 1.
“I’d like to thank Gov. Wolf for supporting my request to dedicate RACP funds for the Falls Township Fire Company No. 1 project, which will provide the fire company with an improved facility to better serve the residents of Falls Township in emergencies,” said Santarsiero. “I am incredibly grateful for the time and service of the volunteer firefighters who serve our community, and I enthusiastically supported the fire company’s application to ensure the company has an upgraded space.”
The project will include a large-scale renovation of the existing firehouse, originally constructed in 1958. The funds will be used to help with demolition, the renovation of the existing structure, the construction of an addition to the building and a new building façade. Improvements will include areas for apparatus bays, administration space and storage, along with upgrading sleeping areas, showers, workout areas for physical fitness, radio communications, technology upgrades, training room and kitchen and day room area improvements, which are essential to attract and retain members now and into the future.
“Our firefighters put their lives on the line for our community on a daily basis, but for too long in Falls Township, they have not had an adequate facility to work from,” said Galloway. “I’m pleased these funds will be used to upgrade the existing firehouse and add a new addition to the property, which will make it easier for the firefighters to serve the community.”
“As we move toward our 100th year of operation, the current firehouse needs updating,” said Michael McClellan Jr., Falls Township Fire Company president. “In order to serve Falls Township, investments are needed to update our facility with the modern amenities required to provide fire protection in the 21st century. The upgrades will benefit our greatest assets, our members. Falls Township and the areas we respond to with our Lower Bucks Mutual Aid Partners will benefit exponentially with the investments made by this grant.”
$667,000 for Snipes Farm Community Center
Santarsiero and Galloway also announced a state investment for a Community Center at Snipes Farm and Education Center.
“Snipes Farm has a long and admirable history in Bucks County of giving back to the community and the new Community Center will provide an ideal space for keeping that tradition alive and well,” said Santarsiero. “Thank you, Gov. Wolf, for prioritizing these funds, which will help bring our community together to connect with the natural bounty of our lands and provide education and resources to children and adults alike.”
The project will include the renovation and expansion of an existing barn on the property, creating a year-round Community Center. The center will include an indoor/outdoor teaching kitchen, educational classroom spaces, restrooms, storage and an outdoor deck.
“I am pleased that Snipes Farm and Education Center will be receiving these funds to build a Community Center on their property, which will bring people together and provide critical educational resources,” said Galloway. “The Snipes family has long supported our local community and I am happy to be able to secure these funds to support their mission and continued good work.”
“Snipes Farm and Education Center is deeply grateful for the work of state Sen. Steve Santarsiero and state Rep. John Galloway for securing an RACP grant for the renovation of an existing barn into a teaching/learning center for environmental sustainability, nutrition education and whole foods culinary arts,” said Jonathan Snipes, executive director. “This education center will allow expansion of critical enrichment programs to people of all ages, income levels and backgrounds. The facility will be ADA compliant, use renewable energy and is located in the heart of the working farm, building a bridge with the local community to gain needed wisdom for a sustainable future.”
Snipes Farm and Education Center is a 501(c)(3) educational organization located in Morrisville. The Snipes family are 11th generation Bucks County farmers, dating back to 1688, and have operated the present Snipes Farm since 1908. Visit snipesfarm.org for more information.
$1 million for redevelopment project in Morrisville Borough
Santarsiero and Galloway announced state funds for a major redevelopment project in Morrisville Borough.
“The redevelopment of a long-vacant property in Morrisville Borough will breathe new life into the area and help grow Morrisville’s local economy,” said Santarsiero. “Thank you, Gov. Wolf, for prioritizing this project at our request, which will provide additional space for commercial and retail development, bringing new business to the borough.”
“I’m very proud that I was able to secure this $1 million in grant money to help redevelop a part of Morrisville’s history,” said Galloway. “Thanks to this critical amount of state funding, Morrisville Borough will once again be a hub of business, a sign of the town’s economic growth and vitality.”
The funds will be used for construction costs associated with the redevelopment, including demolition, site work, environmental remediation and streetscape improvements.
“This administration wants to thank Sen. Steve Santarsiero and Rep. John Galloway, who were able to secure $1 million in state funding to help with a major redevelopment project in Morrisville Borough,” said Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia. “This has been a high priority for the commissioners and will hopefully become a centerpiece for revitalization in Morrisville for years to come.”
“Morrisville is grateful to Gov. Wolf and the commonwealth for generously awarding a $1 million grant to our borough to jump-start a major renovation project,” said Morrisville Borough council president Robert Paul. “Rehabilitating the center of town will reinvigorate Morrisville’s ongoing commitment to promoting the safety and prosperity of our community without destroying its innate charm.”
$500,000 for Pine Run at Doylestown Health
This funding will go to the renovation and expansion of the Craft Barn at Pine Run, which is part of Doylestown Health System, creating new and renovated activity space for the community.
“The Craft Barn renovation and expansion project would be a welcome addition to Doylestown Hospital’s growing campus, creating an enhanced space for creative activities that residents and visitors can use,” said Santarsiero. “I’d like to thank Gov. Wolf for supporting my request to dedicate RACP funds for this project, which will help Doylestown Health continue to provide quality care for residents and outreach to the broader Doylestown community.”
The space will gain a new front entrance, gathering area, new studios, a larger and improved wood shop, a pottery studio, and several other upgrades and safety improvements.
“We sincerely appreciate the support of Sen. Santarsiero and Gov. Wolf to this very important project not only for the villagers of Pine Run but for the entire community as a way to support creative and active lifestyles for our seniors,” said Jim Brexler, president and CEO of Doylestown Health.
$500,000 for Doylestown Rec Center project
This funding has been secured for the Doylestown Township Community Recreation Center. In June 2022, Santarsiero announced $1 million for the first phase of the project to construct a multi-use, public community recreation center on the municipal campus in Doylestown Township. The $500,000 in additional funds will be used to remove outdated outdoor activity courts and construct new, contemporary sports courts on the site. Funds will also go toward the construction of indoor classrooms in the community center building.
“The community center will provide a multi-use indoor and outdoor facility for residents and community groups to meet and stay active. Recreation centers are a key component of a strong, healthy and connected community, which is why I enthusiastically support continued funding for this project,” said Santarsiero.
“Doylestown Township is thrilled to learn of this additional RACP grant funding for our Park/Recreation Community Center project,” said Doylestown Township manager Stephanie Mason. “We are grateful and appreciate the efforts of Sen. Santarsiero for advocating for our project. We look forward to the project getting underway in 2023 and opening the doors to the Park/Recreation Community Center in 2024.”
RACP is a commonwealth grant program administered by the Office of the Budget for the acquisition and construction of regional economic, cultural, civic, recreational and historical improvement projects. RACP projects have a regional or multi-jurisdictional impact and generate substantial increases or maintain current levels of employment, tax revenues or other measures of economic activity. RACP projects are state-funded projects that cannot obtain primary funding under other state programs. Visit budget.pa.gov/Programs/RACP/Pages/Main%20Page.aspx for more information.
