Meridian Twp. eyes new community, senior center
MERIDIAN TWP. Mich. (WLNS) – Meridian Township officials are looking for a new home base for senior residents.
The current senior center is in a building expected to be demolished as part of a rebuilding plan for several Okemos schools. The search may have come to an end across the street from the township hall in the Meridian Mall.
“We needed to come up with a solution to assist our seniors and then we broaden it to ‘why not have a community center for our entire population in Meridian Township?'” said Marna Wilson, a township trustee and chair of the task force in charge of relocating the senior center.
The proposal to use the long vacant former Yonkers store front was presented to the Meridian Township Board Thursday night. Wilson said the project is in the very early stages. However, out of the 7 total properties reviewed, she said, the mall has the needed space.
Wilson said there’s already some funding set aside in the form of a $5 million dollar allocation from the state to help pay for part of the project.
Presentation material said the total area is more than 39,000 square feet. In the faculty, officials plan for a gymnasium with multiple ball courts, senior dedicated spaces, a low impact fitness equipment gym and a large multi-purpose activity space.
It’s an idea some residents can get behind.
“It’s some place that can foster gathering kind of like how the mall does have the farmer’s market out back. It will continue growth with that with this right here and I think it will snowball into something better,” said Michael Inga, a near-by resident to the mall.
The project did come as a shock to some in the senior community who felt like they were not made aware ahead of time.
“A lot of people have a lot to gain from the new center but I think the current users have the most to lose of any group of any stake holders,” said Barbara O’Kelly to the board Thursday night.
Wilson said the conversation is just starting on the future of the community and senior center.
“Our meeting with the senior center next week and we are showing them all the ins and outs and showing our drawings the drawings and getting their feedback,” she said.
The wider community will have a chance to share their thoughts during listening sessions next month.
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