The fiscally responsible Falls Township Supervisors on Tuesday night set the wheels in motion for a potentially significant revenue-generating addition.
During its work session, the board unanimously authorized Forward Planning to undertake a study to determine the viability of a 24-hour freight village support facility in Falls Township.
Should the concept move to fruition, the regional truck stop would serve as a place for long-haul truckers to park their vehicles and sleep overnight. A weigh station for police officers who do vehicle inspections would be part of the facility as well. It would also feature a variety of amenities, including banking, medical, retail and truck repair, according to Township Manager Matthew Takita.
Part of the study would focus on whether the truck stop would generate enough revenue to subsidize portions of the township budget, according to Takita.
Supervisors Chairman Jeff Dence said the truck stop – should it be deemed a viable addition – is a way for township officials to responsibly plan for Falls Township’s financial future.
“Knowing at some point Falls Township is not going to be able to rely on a landfill to supplement us, Mr. Takita has been looking for ways to generate revenue for Falls Township moving forward,” Dence said. “This is not something that’s going to happen anytime soon. But it’s something we connected with.”
Officials have not yet identified a location. In all likelihood, it would be situated in an industrial area, in or near the sprawling NorthPoint Development site.
The study would also include an evaluation of similar facilities to not only help identify a site in Falls, but to also focus on where other entities failed with similar projects as a means to avoid those missteps, Takita said.
Transportation officials are in a “desperate need” for additional regional freight villages, Takita said.
As the process moves forward, Falls will seek various grant funding sources, including from the federal government, as well as the state and county, he said.
“This would need to be a public/private partnership,” Takita said. “The intent would be for the township to own it as a means to supplement our revenue.”
