Senior citizens center plans to go before Macon-Bibb committee

Macon-Bibb County commissioners will be presented floor and site plans next month for a new Macon-Bibb County senior citizens center.

The plans presented Wednesday to a group of about 50 seniors will go before a Macon-Bibb County Commission committee Nov. 10. If the committee approves the plans, the full commission will vote the following week on whether to move forward with finalizing conceptual designs.

Golden Group member Leroy Thomas Sr. urged seniors to attend the Nov. 10 meeting.

"We need to show up so they can see that you approve of what's being presented to them so we can get this show on the road," he said at a Wednesday meeting at the Macon-Bibb County Government Center.

The goal is to have the new senior center open in early 2017, said Bruce Morris, project manager with Sizemore Group, an architectural firm. He is shooting for an 11,000-square-foot facility that would be about half the size of the current Adams Street center.

"These spaces will be custom built for your programs and purposes so it will be much more efficient," Morris said.

The latest plans of the proposed Central City Park site features rooms for various programs, a warming kitchen and dining room. There's an exercise room, multi-purpose room, and a space for arts and crafts. There would also be a billiards area, computer center and another room for music and lectures that will have a small library. The outdoor space would feature a gazebo, garden and two parking lots.

Other features incorporated from input from seniors is a "recovery room" for when people get sick and a shower.

"We'll continue to massage the building and see if we can get as much space as possible," Morris said.

There is $2.7 million set aside for the project, including $2 million in special purpose local option sales tax money and $750,000 from a land swap with Mercer University. Commissioner Elaine Lucas has said officials are likely to find an additional $300,000 for the project to put the budget close to $3 million.

Other improvements to Central City Park are on the way with $4.2 million being spent on a new skate park and track, renovations of two ball fields and other changes.

The former Department of Motor Vehicles building would be torn down to clear room for the senior center.

To contact writer Stanley Dunlap, call 744-4623 or find him on Twitter @stan_telegraph.

This story was originally published October 21, 2015 at 10:26 PM with the headline "Senior citizens center plans to go before Macon-Bibb committee ."