Montco Youth Center campus to be renovated

NORRISTOWN The Montgomery County commissioners on Thursday approved $3.2 million in construction contracts to renovate the Montgomery County Youth Center campus, off Egypt Road in West Norriton.

Kenneth Starr, the county's director of assets and infrastructure, said the juvenile probation department would be "completely gutted and rehabbed."

"It's going to be very light and airy when it's done, with a proper HVAC system," he said.

The youth court building will get more waiting rooms so that defendants, victims, and witnesses do not have to interact, Starr said. It will also get new security scanners and office space for the Clerk of Courts Office, currently housed across the street at the probation building.

County Commissioner Josh Shapiro said upgrading the facility has been a priority since 2012.

It's a place "where a lot of people go with very tragic circumstances in their lives, but also where people can have really uplifting experiences as their lives are able to be turned around," Shapiro said. "They deserve to have a campus that is reflective of the serious issues that are going on there."

Probation staff are working in temporary pods until the construction is complete. Courthouse administration will shift around the building as crews complete work there, and courtroom operations will temporarily move to the courthouse in Norristown, Starr said.

The project is expected to take nine to 12 months. - Jessica Parks