READING, Pa. – Berks County Board of Commissioners Chair Christian Leinbach on Thursday reported that there has been no news or communications regarding the proposed ICE detention facility in Upper Bern Township.
Leinbach made the comments, saying it was a promise from the commissioners that they would continue to keep the public updated as to the status of the project.
“In regard to the warehouse in Upper Bern Township, there’s nothing new,” Leinbach said. “We’ve heard nothing. There’s been no communication from Congressman (Dan) Meuser to me and for the last three-plus weeks, we’ve heard nothing from the Department of Homeland Security.”
“If we hear something new, we will share that,” Leinbach added.
In February, a 520,000-square-foot warehouse at 2301 Mountain Road in Upper Bern Township was sold to the U.S. government on behalf of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement for $87.4 million.
The proposed use has sparked outrage from many Berks County residents.
Former Meridian Bank building
In another matter, the commissioners adopted a resolution authorizing Kevin S. Barnhardt, chief operations officer, to execute a conflict-of-interest waiver and consent form among NAI Keystone Commercial & Industrial, LLC (commercial real estate company), 600 Penn Street LP (an affiliate of Shuman Development Group) and the county.
On Monday, Barnhardt appeared before Reading City Council to announce the county has embarked on negotiations with owner Alan Shuman to purchase the former Meridian Bank office building at 600 Penn St.
A real estate conflict-of-interest waiver is a formal document where parties involved acknowledge a potential conflict of interest.
The building would serve as the county’s third office building within a one block area.
The commissioners did not discuss the matter.
Reading City Council on Monday did not oppose the concept but raised concerns about the loss of tax revenue on the property.