The move marks a major step forward for the department, both in terms of safety and long-term financial stability.

The borough purchased the former Mifflin County Water Authority building in December 2025, just months before the department’s lease was set to expire on Feb. 28. That lease, officials noted, cost taxpayers several thousand dollars each month and placed officers in a crowded facility shared with multiple tenants — a setup that had created safety concerns over the years due to the building’s layout and heavy foot traffic.

With the building on Chestnut Street listed for sale, the borough council made the decision to act quickly.

“This is a cost-effective use of taxpayer money,” borough officials said. “It prevents recurring lease payments and allows the department to occupy a larger space at a property that was previously tax-exempt.”

Submitted photo
A conference room in the new office space that houses the Lewistown Police Department.

A fast turnaround — and a hands-on effort

Once the purchase was finalized, the clock started ticking. The department had less than three months to transform the former water authority building into a functioning police station before the South Brown Street lease ended.

Rather than outsourcing the entire renovation, officers rolled up their sleeves.

Throughout January and February, members of the department — led by Executive Officer Rich Leight, who served as project manager — handled much of the demolition and reconstruction themselves. Officers tore out old office spaces, framed new walls, hung drywall and applied more than 25 gallons of paint. They built new offices, created an interview room and installed a holding cell.

The Lewistown Borough Streets Department also stepped in, assisting with demolition, running network cables and tackling other essential tasks.

Specialized work such as electrical upgrades, flooring installation and drywall finishing was contracted to local businesses to keep the project on schedule.

Phase one complete — with more to come

The first phase of the renovation focused on creating a secure, functional environment that meets the standards of an accredited law-enforcement agency. That included establishing a dedicated evidence storage area, installing electronic door-access controls, improving interior and exterior lighting, and adding surveillance cameras throughout the property.

With the lobby now open, the department is turning its attention to the next stages of development. Borough leadership is actively pursuing grant funding to support Phase Two and Phase Three, which will include permanent locker rooms, refinishing the garage, installing a generator and completing additional upgrades to the facility.

Same services, safer space

The department will continue operating under its regular hours — Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — and the new lobby includes a drug take-back box for residents to safely dispose of unused or expired medications.

Some small projects remain underway as Phase One wraps up, and the department’s landline phone system is still being transitioned to the new building. Until the issue is resolved, residents needing non-emergency assistance are asked to contact Mifflin County Communications at (717) 248-9607 or email info@lewistownpolice.org.

A fresh start for the department — and the community

While the move was driven by necessity, the result is a modernized, more secure home for the borough’s officers — one shaped not just by contractors, but by the officers themselves.

The new Chestnut Street headquarters represents more than a change of address. It’s a long-term investment in public safety, a more efficient use of taxpayer dollars, and a space designed to serve the community for decades to come.