A building that currently serves as an art gallery in Weissport will serve as a new district office for a local state representative.

State Rep. Doyle Heffley said Wednesday afternoon that he plans to relocate his Lehighton district office to Weissport.

Heffley said that as of Feb. 1, his office will now be held at 204 Bridge St., which currently houses The Gallery in Weissport.

Last month, Lehighton Borough Council at a special meeting approved a rental agreement with Heffley for his office in the borough annex building at 110 N. Third St.

The lease addendum was in the amount of $1,350 per month, compared with the original discussion of $13.50 per square foot.

That decision came after council, on a 5-1 vote, with Councilwoman Autumn Abelovsky opposed, at its Nov. 28 meeting approved a two-month lease with Heffley.

Borough Manager Nicole Beckett said at that time that in negotiating with Heffley, he said he couldn’t go any higher than $11.75 per square foot.

At its Nov. 19 meeting, council on a 4-1 vote, with Abelovsky opposed, agreed to continue to negotiate the lease with Heffley and offer $13.50 per square foot for a month-to-month lease until a long-term agreement could be reached.

That vote came after an initial motion to not approve a two-year lease at the price proposed.

Heffley’s lease agreement was set to expire Nov. 30. Heffley has had an office inside the Lehighton Borough annex building since January 2011.

Recreation director Tom Evans said Heffley’s rate was $11.30 per square foot. An initial proposal of $15 per square foot had been proposed.

Heffley said he has notified Lehighton Borough of his decision to move.

“We’re moving due to our budget that we have through the state for our district offices,” Heffley said. “Our biggest priority is making sure everybody has access to our offices.”

Heffley said he has enjoyed his time at the Lehighton facility, noting that the office will remain open until the end of the month, though they may have to shut down for a couple of days.

“It’s been a phenomenal building; the building has great character,” he said.

“I’d like to thank Lehighton Borough. For eight years we were in this facility.”

Heffley added, “There’s no hard feelings. Because of our budget, we are going to have to move.”

Contacted Wednesday afternoon, Beckett said the borough eventually plans to fill the space.

“We’ll be looking for someone to occupy the space,” Beckett said.

Heffley said he’s looking forward to the move.

“We’re excited about the move,” he said. “The biggest thing was for my staff and myself, we wanted to make sure we’re accessible to the public and our offices are located throughout the 122nd District.”

Heffley added, “We wanted to keep a presence in the Lehighton area. Everybody in the borough has been really welcoming,” he said.

There will be plenty of parking, as well as handicapped parking in the rear of the building, Heffley said.

Heffley also has a district office in Albrightsville, which he noted will remain up and running throughout the process, and also has outreach hours at the Lansford American Legion from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays, and at Weatherly Borough Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month.

“We’re still going to be in the Lehighton area,” he said.

“We’re just moving a little down the road, providing all the same services.”

As for The Gallery, Jeff Elder, who along with his wife, Sharon, have owned the business since May, said they’ve decided to take the business online.

“I feel so proud that I’m able to take the business in a different vein and have Weissport have better access,” Jeff Elder said.

“Sharon and I are looking for a presence to still stay in Weissport with our internet business.”

Jeff said it’s a win-win situation for all involved.

“Sharon and Jeff Elder are proud of being part of The Gallery and keeping it in the Weissport location. Also, we’re thrilled that Doyle Heffley is going to be coming into Weissport. Weissport wins, Jeff and Sharon (Elder) win, and Jay Frey, owner of The Gallery building, wins.”