Seekonk Senior Center Project Moving Forward

The Seekonk Senior Center project now has a building to call its own. Last month the Board of Selectmen authorized the purchase of the building at Taunton Avenue and Arcade Avenue to be used as the town’s new senior center. It is the former American Pools property.

The cost of the building was $465,000 which leaves more than $2 million for engineering, architectural designs and renovations. The purchase price was reduced by more than $200,000 because the sale did not include the apartment building at the corner of the property. That building was separated from the purchase. (Residents may still see a ‘For Sale’ sign on the property but that is just for the apartment building, says Building Committee Chairman Dave Bowden.)

The town acquired the 12,000 sq. ft. showroom/office building in the back of the property which faces Arcade Avenue for use as a senior center. The purchase and sale was a lengthy process, taking about three months, according to Bowden.

The next step is for a Request for Proposal to go out for the architectural services, with a proposal deadline of Sept. 24. The committee expects that actual renovation work will proceed in December. The work will include bringing the building up to code.

Having the building already there is a benefit because some work can be done in the winter months, says Bowden. Purchasing an existing building will also keep the timing of the project very close it its original schedule. The committee hopes that, without any further unexpected delays, seniors will be able to use the building by next summer.

Voters approved $2.5 million for the project two years ago which will be funded through a temporary tax increase. Another $386,000 was approved for the project last year.

The senior center will include administrative offices for the Department of Human Services and the Council on Aging and meeting rooms for community groups.

Caption for photo: Site of the new Seekonk Senior Center

Photo by Laura Calverley