Senior center plans progress Senior center plans progress (February 27, 2004)

Design will be completed by summer

By Grace Rauh

City council members reviewed updated design plans for the new Senior Center and Avenidas' senior health care facility at a study session Tuesday.

Council members said they want to use cost-effective materials to build the lodge-inspired Senior Center, and they expressed a desire for larger windows and perhaps skylights to let in natural light.

Council member Greg Perry requested the price tag for various features on the proposed building, but the center's architects were unable to supply them. He was displeased about not knowing how much everything cost. "As a result of this, I think we're getting a very expensive building," he said.

Other council members said the group should not be bogged down with counting nickels and dimes at this point in the planning stage.

"We want to do a building people can be proud of," said Council member Mike Kasperzak.

Avenidas plans to formally apply to develop the space adjacent to the Senior Center later this spring, and city employees will present updated architectural plans for the Senior Center at another study session. The council is expected to approve a design plan this summer.

E-mail Grace Rauh at grauh@mv-voice.com

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