Macon senior citizens center plans to be unveiled for Central City Park sites

A project manager for the new Macon-Bibb County senior citizens center says preliminary plans will be presented Sept. 23 for potential Central City Park locations.

About 70 seniors were at a forum Wednesday morning to provide input on the features they wanted at the new center. Bruce Morris, project manager with architectural firm Sizemore Group, said the plans unveiled in two weeks will include details on the project’s cost after incorporating the amenities and other features requested by seniors.

The next forums will be held Sept. 23 at the current senior citizens center on Adams Street and North Macon Park off Wimbish Road, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.

“We have a couple of sites at Central City Park that we’re looking at and have to figure out how that building would fit,” Morris said during Wednesday’s forum.

The Macon-Bibb County Commission agreed in July to explore Central City Park sites after a senior citizens group opposed earlier proposals to move to the former A.L. Miller School or the Bloomfield Recreation Center. The Golden Group cited a desire to be downtown and closer to medical care.

Seniors in attendance Wednesday said they want a design that blends modern and traditional architecture, and offers features such as a walking trail and areas for exercise programs.

One characteristic some seniors asked for that could be on the chopping block is a commercial kitchen. A warming kitchen where food can be heated and stored in a refrigerator might be the more feasible option, said Reggie Moore, the recreation department’s interim director.

“At some point in time we’ll have to look at the budget and how detailed you want the kitchen,” he said.

There is $2.7 million set aside for the project, including $2 million from a special purpose local option sales tax 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.

Ruth Hill, a senior citizen who attended the meeting, said she thought there were good suggestions given Wednesday. She said she wonders how much room there will for a center at Central City Park.

“(Bloomfield) is the one place where you have plenty of land to do anything you want to do,” Hill said after the forum ended.

To contact writer Stanley Dunlap, call 744-4623.

This story was originally published September 9, 2015 at 10:38 PM with the headline "Macon senior citizens center plans to be unveiled for Central City Park sites ."