Schuylkill Haven has an agreement of sale in place to purchase the building it uses for its police station and council meeting room and expects to close on the deal by the end of July.
Borough Solicitor Mark Semanchik said Schuylkill Haven will pay $336,000 for the property, located at 250 Parkway. He said a little extra time was needed to complete a title search. The seller also wants to maintain its easement rights, Semanchik said.
The Borough currently leases the 4,800-square foot building and adjoining parking lots from 562 Terminal Limited Partnership for $36,500 a year, according to Schuylkill Haven’s 2026 budget. The police station and council meeting room are on the first floor. A second floor needs renovations and could be used for office space. The property, a former school building, also has a basement.
The current owners purchased 250 Parkway from the Schuylkill County School Employees Credit Union in 2013 for $105,000, according to the County’s Parcel Locator app. Its 2026 assessment value is $336,600.
Council members voted unanimously last month to take out a $600,000 draw-down bank loan to help purchase the property. Ryan Brockman, of Raymond James, said a Request for Proposal for loans was sent to 17 financial institutions, and one bank, First Citizens Community Bank, responded. Council agreed to a fixed interest rate at 4.82% over 3 years. Brockman said the loan terms include a pre-payable without penalty clause.
Schuylkill Haven plans to use a $100,000 “grant” it anticipates from its entry into the ICE 287(g) program with the municipal police department. That money was promised to Schuylkill Haven and other Schuylkill County municipalities after they made an initial arrest related to the program. It has not been received but Borough officials say they expect money to become available to pay it by the end of August.
If that money doesn’t come or the cost of the building and any renovations exceeds the money received from the 287(g) program, the balance will come from the Borough’s General Fund.
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