In March, Mount Joy Borough Authority officials, project partners and members of the community gathered to break ground on the new Mount Joy Borough Municipal Complex. The project, located at 300 Orchard Road, will address accessibility and space issues facing the current facility at 21 E. Main St.

"The existing building, which houses the borough office, Authority staff and police department, is outdated, undersized and not ADA compliant," explained Mark Pugliese, borough manager. "The new facility will be fully accessible and include modern meeting spaces for public gatherings and council sessions."

The council chambers at the new site will also double as an emergency operations command center, enhancing the borough's emergency response capabilities.

"The project aims to create a more efficient, accessible and secure environment for municipal operations while strengthening community engagement and resilience," Pugliese stated.

The new complex is set to open in March 2026, and the process of developing the site has been a long one.

"A 2009 study by Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates and CenterPoint Engineering evaluated the current municipal building ... and identified significant issues," Pugliese shared. "The structure, originally two separate buildings joined by an addition, is outdated, with aging mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems nearing the end of their lifespan. The roof, except for the police station wing, has outlived its usefulness, and the building has reached maximum capacity, leaving no room for future growth."

The general condition of both the interior and exterior of the complex also requires substantial maintenance, he said, adding, "These factors prompted the decision to construct a new municipal complex to better serve the needs of the community."

At the groundbreaking, Mount Joy Borough Council president William Hall addressed attendees and reflected on the long history of the site.

"The land on which we stand holds a special place in our community," he said. "For many years, this site was home to the Grandview Elementary School, where generations of students learned and grew. It was a place of knowledge, development and a place that shaped the future of many young minds. As we break ground today, we honor that history by creating a new space dedicated to the service and betterment of Mount Joy."

Josh Deering, chairman of the Building Ad Hoc Committee, also addressed the crowd, recognizing the hard work and dedication that led to this significant milestone.

"The path to this moment was not without its challenges," he remarked. "Today we stand at the beginning of a new chapter, one that will benefit our employees, our residents and the future of this borough for a very long time to come."

The new complex has a price tag of more than $10 million. The complex was designed by Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates. It is being built by eciConstruction.

For more information about the municipal complex project, contact the Mount Joy Borough office at 717-653-2300.