By Perry Schaible
Enquirer contributor

WEST CHESTER TWP. - Trustees here are expected to make a decision next month on the future of the township's administrative offices.

Officials need to find a new home before the $1.3 million prepaid lease on their offices at 9100 Centre Pointe Drive expires in June 2005.

The administration offices could be moved to the building that houses the police station and Area III Court when those departments relocate to the new West Chester Safety and Services Center on Beckett Road.

Officials reviewed a conceptual budget this week to renovate the building at 9113 Cincinnati-Dayton Road. Costs are estimated at $1.5 million.

"It's a lot more responsible than the numbers we saw or heard six months ago," said Trustee Jose Alvarez.

If approved, the building will include administration offices, a town hall and several township departments, including Information Technology and Communications.

Township Administrator Dave Gully said $500,000 has been cut from the project.

Renovations at the West Chester Safety and Services Center, the former i-Motors building, are expected to be complete by September.

The trustees will hold their next regular meeting at 7 p.m. April 13 in the town hall at 9100 Centre Pointe Drive.