borough news article

Kimmel Bogrette Advises Boroughs on Planning Municipal Facilities

In a recent article entitled “Facilitating Facilities” in Borough News magazine, firm principals Martin Kimmel and Jim Bogrette offer guidelines and goals for planning, designing and constructing municipal facilities. The official magazine of the Pennsylvania State Association of Boroughs, Borough News is aimed at borough officials and representatives who are responsible for maintaining and improving their local communities. The article discusses issues such as Building a Sense of Community with Your Facilities Projects; Determining Your Needs; Establishing a Process to Define, Document and Meet the Goals; The Construction Process – Protecting the Community; and Financing Your Project. As a case study, the article showcased the brand new Millersville Borough Town Hall, designed by Kimmel Bogrette, and the Borough's experience in making that project successful. The foundation for the article is Kimmel Bogrette’s MasterConcept Planning process that was developed to address challenges commonly faced by today’s community leaders when making decisions about designing, building and renovating facilities. A mission-based approach that has led to successful projects in more than 30 municipalities, the MasterConcept Plan ensures that the vision for a given project meets the needs and goals of the local government, while enhancing the mission and identity of the community. Martin and Jim have spoken on the subject at several conferences of the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS), and the State Association of Township Commissioners (PSATC). Another article was published last year in PSATS’s Township News magazine that quoted Jim and Martin on “Building a Sense of Community” when planning and designing facilities projects.