$1.6M In State Grants Awarded To Central Bucks County Projects

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Four projects in Central Bucks County have been awarded $1.6 million in grants for the rehabilitation of a farmhouse into a retreat center for special needs families, the modernization of an elevator at a Doylestown museum, a new roof for an affordable senior housing complex, and traffic signal improvements at a major intersection in Solebury.

The grants - secured by State Senator Steve Santarsiero and State Rep. Tim Brennan - include $597,516 for the Peace Valley Holistic Center, $406,226 for the Mercer Museum, $100,000 for New Hope Manor, and $521,036 for Solebury Township.

The Peace Valley Holistic Center, located in Chalfont Borough, will be using its funding toward the center’s Old Stone Farmhouse into a learning-based life skills retreat for special needs families.

“The project at Peace Valley Holistic Center will provide a respite for special needs families,” said Senator Santarsiero. “The life skills workshops, including parent and youth cooking programs, will help teach life-long healthy habits in a safe and inclusive space.”

The Mercer Museum, in partnership with Doylestown Borough and the Bucks County Historical Society will use the funding to modernize the museum’s lone elevator. Dating back to 1976, the elevator provides the only access for guests with mobility challenges to access the core exhibition space.

“The Mercer Museum is a cultural and historic gem in our community, and I enthusiastically supported these funds to help improve accessibility to the museum by modernizing the elevator,” said Senator Santarsiero.

Bucks County Housing Development Corporation will provide assistance to New Hope Manor, the affordable 55 and older independent living community on Sugan Road in Solebury, using the funding for a new roof at the apartment complex.

“Bucks County Housing Development Corporation does great work providing critically needed affordable housing to low and moderate seniors in our community,” said Senator Santarsiero. “I’m pleased to support these funds to repair the roof at the New Hope Manor building to ensure its residents have a safe and warm place to call home.”

“These are critical state investments into our community’s public spaces, and will help keep them vibrant and strong,” said Rep. Brennan. “Preserving Bucks County’s rich history and thriving cultural institutions is vital to our continued growth, and these grants will make sure the Old Stone Farmhouse and Mercer Museum are safe and accessible for all to enjoy. The same goes for New Hope Manor and the seniors who call it home.”

With its grant, Solebury Township will upgrade four existing traffic signals along Lower York Road at the intersections with Sugan Road, Kitchen Lane/Bridge Street, Shire Drive and Aquetong Road.

The Solebury Township Municipal Building. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

“The traffic signal upgrades in Solebury township will improve reliability and safety for both everyday use and in emergency response situations, benefiting drivers, pedestrians and our first responders,” said Senator Santarsiero.

Rep. Brennan added, “These upgrades are bringing the latest traffic safety technology to one of Solebury’s busiest intersections. Sen. Santarsiero and I will continue to be persistent in our efforts to secure state funding for these projects, especially when it comes to improving our first responders’ ability to respond to emergencies and making sure public infrastructure can withstand changing weather patterns.”