Cumberland County commissioners spent the bulk of their meeting weighing whether to transfer ownership of the historic Bishop Bridge to Upper Allen Township or proceed with its planned demolition.

Planning staff told the board that a low bid for demolition had been received (about $181,000) but that Upper Allen Township had asked for more time to complete due diligence and potentially assume ownership. Kirk Center, the county planning staffer overseeing the project, said the county had paused demolition earlier this year while the township pursued ownership and that restarting the project has added consultant work and coordination that triggered a requested contract supplement to HRG of $67,350.

Upper Allen officials and residents urged the county to convey the bridge. "I’m an Upper Allen Township resident, and I just wanted to give my support for Upper Allen having ownership of the bridge," said Christina Rocky during public comment. Commissioner-elect Eric Fairchild and other township officials said they intend to take ownership and pursue preservation and restoration, arguing the bridge is a valued local asset and that Upper Allen has funding sources—including liquid fuels balances and reserves—that could be directed to repairs.

Opponents urged caution. Jim Cochran, representing Brown Township, told commissioners the township board had repeatedly vetted bids and previously voted against accepting ownership because bid costs and long-term maintenance obligations were untenable. Local contractor Mike Kleinhinder testified that pedestrian use of the bridge is minimal and estimated rehabilitation costs—as previously studied—at roughly $1 million or more, with county consultants’ estimates ranging up to $2.7 million depending on scope.

Board members pressed for safeguards if a transfer were to proceed. Commissioners discussed requiring a performance bond or other guarantees to protect the county from cost overruns or delays. Staff warned of a February 15 in‑stream work restriction that would make timely contractor mobilization important if the county were to proceed with demolition this winter.

Rather than voting to convey the bridge, the board did not record a final conveyance vote that day. The chair said she would be willing to give Upper Allen Township one month—so the township could act at its early‑January meeting and return a formal plan—but she emphasized that this would be the final extension: "If you cannot get this done in a way that is reasonable, I'm done," the chair said. If Upper Allen does not finalize conveyance and assurances within that period, the county intends to move forward with demolition and execute the prepared contract.

The discussion closed with no decisive transfer vote; commissioners instead directed staff to continue coordination and to bring back documentation as appropriate. The county also approved a related HRG contract addendum to cover the additional work already expended on the project.

What happens next: Upper Allen Township has been given an opportunity to finalize approvals at its January meeting; if it does not complete conveyance and required assurances, commissioners said the county will proceed with demolition under the existing procurement and scheduling constraints.