After getting push back from the senior community about moving to the Christian Center, Park City staff is back at square one and is now considering new temporary locations for the senior population. Some of those considerations will be discussed at Thursday’s final city council meeting of the year.
“We are absolutely exploring alternative locations, Acting City Manager Matt Dias told KPCW. “The commitment to the seniors here is this was never a come hell or high water you’re moving out on this date - we ran an extensive two year collaborative process working with the senior membership about relocating them to a new facility or a n alternative facility that had at minimum the same level of service and amenities or better. Somewhere along the way here we seemed to have gotten a little off track. I think the boldest expression of the commitment from council was once they understood that there was miscommunication, they took a step back and let’s explore some alternatives.”
Acting City Manager Dias says the plan is to move the seniors sometime next year, depending when the city needs to start redevelopment at the location of the existing senior center.
The seniors were slated to head to the Christian Center, after the city worked out a lease to be there. But seniors don’t think it’s an ideal location: it’s upstairs, they have to have to set up and tear down their chairs and tables before and after every meeting. And they want something on the bus line…
The future of a permanent senior center is also still up in the air. Dias says they’d like to see the existing center reused – but it’s outdated and would need some repairs. The city may also consider a new building, estimated to cost $1.5 million.
And new or old, the city needs a place to put the center. Three locations have been identified – two of them in City Park - one near the skate park and the other behind the 7-11 on Sullivan Road. A spot is also being eyed at the MARC.
Dias says they’re also working with commercial real estate brokers to see if there’s any space that would work on a temporary basis.
“To just look at other facilities in our community that we may rent on a short term basis that we can build in some tenant improvements, provide the seniors with their space and then have complementary amenities around the center, such as, have some other complementary, other shops or stores and making sure it’s on transit, so the seniors can have these other amenities available to them,” Dias said.
Staff is looking for council direction on Thursday before they further explore the temporary alternatives. Even with that, staff says relocation or a quick solution of a new facility may still require a temporary relocation to the Christian Center. The city council will discuss the issue during work session at 4:15 in the city council chambers.