READING, Pa. – The Berks County Commissioners on Thursday adopted a resolution authorizing its county solicitor, Christine Sadler, to prepare an engagement letter with Masano Bradley, Wyomissing, to provide legal representation regarding the negotiation of the potential purchase of the building at 600 Penn Street.
In May the county revealed it is moving ahead with plans to negotiate the purchase of former Meridian Bank office building from 600 Penn Street LP, an affiliate of Shuman Development Group.
Although still in preliminary plans, the county would like to move most county departments and services from the current County Services Center to allow for the creation of a judicial center that would include all court-related functions.
Even though the city has not endorsed or opposed the plan, some members of city council originally raised concerns about the loss of revenue from property taxes on the building.
In other business, the commissioners authorized a resolution to execute a letter of certification in connection with an application of Co-County Wellness Services to the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency to receive funding from the U.S. Department of Justice Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program.
Commissioner Christian Y. Leinbach said if the non-profit receives the grant, it is anticipated to provide funding for new programing through the end of 2028.
After that time, if the programming were to be continued, Leinbach said Co-County Wellness would seek additional grant and philanthropic funding.
According to its website, the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant is a formula grant program which serves as a leading source of federal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions.
While the grant is mainly aimed at law enforcement issues, it also funds drug treatment and enforcement programs, as well as mental health programs.