The Multi-Modal Transportation Center, a $7.1 million dollar project in the center of the Borough of Oxford, could be fully completed very soon.

Steve Krug, the project architect, updated borough officials on the status of the project at the Jan. 13 council meeting, telling them, “You will soon be having your council meetings in the new Borough Hall.”

Krug explained that the substantial completion to the facility is expected by Feb. 8, with full completion expected March 7.

Residents concerned about security of the facility will be happy to know that Police Chief Sam Iacono and Corporal Scott Brown inspected the “blue light” emergency system that connects with the county 911 system and reported that it is working.

The chief explained that each floor of the garage has blue lights located at each entrance. The clearly visible lights are located in a box on the wall. In the event of an emergency, one simply pushes a button, which causes a blue light to flash as the person is automatically connected to a live person at Chester County 911.

Chief Iacono said, “The person should remain there at the box and will be connected within 15 seconds or less. The dispatcher will assess the situation and send the appropriate emergency personnel. When the call is completed, the system will be reset and ready for the next emergency. It is operating perfectly.”

There are also cameras throughout the garage. Once the project is fully complete, the borough’s police department will have live access to those cameras as well.  

Other security features include sensor lights throughout which will get brighter as vehicles or pedestrians make their way through the facility.

The Multi-Modal Transportation Center also includes space for the borough’s administrative offices.

Borough Manager Brian Hoover said that the current council room only seats about 22 visitors, compared to the 44-seat capacity in the new council room. Also included in the new facility is a council chamber where council members can move to for executive sessions, allowing visitors to remain in their seats.

Hoover also stressed that the new location has the much needed technology improvements they have been lacking in their current situation. Two big screen televisions will be located in the council room, making presentations visible to council members and visitors simultaneously.

There will be an open office concept, separating employees by glass partitions so all employees, including the borough manager will be easily visible. New furniture will be fitted to the office.

Two rental units will also be available in the complex, and income from those could offset expenses related to the facility. There are no restrictions on what those units can house.

“What will happen with the current Borough Hall?” Council member Ron Hershey asked.

Hoover explained that he has asked for an appraisal for the current Borough Hall from William Wood. After completion of the appraisal, council will move forward on their plan to sell the historic structure. Since the property is in the Historic District, changes in the property would be subject to approval from the Historic Architectural Review Board. There are no deed restrictions limiting the future use of the property.

The property was built in 1902, according to a plaque on the structure, and was used for many years as a railroad station. The borough purchased the property in 1955 for $10,000 from Baltimore/Washington Railroad. The borough undertook additions to the building through the years.

New possibilities for the current borough hall include serving as a home for a new business or possibly being used by the Oxford Area Historical Association as a meeting space and museum.