CRANBERRY TWP — As the police department expands, township officials are expected to recommend upgrades to its headquarters in the municipal center.

Cranberry’s police chief, Kenneth Ruckel, said aside from the building’s modernization needs, the police department is looking to expand in size. The department is looking to add an additional three or four police officers this year.

Ruckel said the department growth is “to meet the needs of the community.” Serving a population of just over 35,000 spread across about 23 square miles, the Cranberry Township Police Department currently has about 35 employees, he said.

“We have to improve some issues that have occurred over time, as a result of aging, such as plumbing issues, draining issues, but also thinking of the future, and the future development of Cranberry, considering the needs ahead of us,” Ruckel said.

At the township’s board of supervisors agenda setting meeting March 26, officials said they would have a recommendation for approval at the board’s next meeting on April 2.

“We were waiting for the new police chief to come aboard to start this project. We did receive a proposal, which we’re currently reviewing. That was received from the architect and we’ll have the recommendation for next week’s meeting,” township engineer Michael Malak said March 26.

Officials said at the March 26 meeting the proposed design services will evaluate and address various deferred maintenance needs. The services, they said, will assist the police, human resources and information technology departments with overall efficiency.

Improvements include comprehensive upgrades to mechanical systems to improve energy efficiency, enhance system reliability and support more adaptable work environments.

Projected costs were not immediately available. The contract, if approved, will be with Designstream LLC, an architecture firm based in Pittsburgh’s southern suburbs.

Dan Santoro, township manager, said Cranberry’s police department headquarters has not been touched for 25 years.

The municipal building also houses community resources, such as township offices, the public library and recreational gymnasiums. Previously, the township spent over $7 million in renovations for the municipal building.

Santoro said upgrades will range from things as small as fixing leaky showers and installing new LED lighting to looking at the overall layout of department, opportunities to improve efficiency and flow for workers, and the community and upgrading internal offices.

“There are a lot of general maintenance upgrades that need to happen,” Santoro said. “Surfaces, carpeting, lighting. Things that after all that time, it’s time for you to fix those.”