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Senior Center still a dream
$95,000 grant is not enough for plan and it requires city to put up 20% cash
By Carol Broeder/Arizona range news
The City of Willcox has learned it will receive a $95,000 grant for a proposed senior center, though it may not see the funds until October.
In March of 2008, the Willcox City Council approved submittal of a $200,000 grant through the office of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords for constructing and equipping a senior citizen building, said City Manager Pat McCourt.
The total $200,000 consisted of a $160,000 grant and a $40,000 local match, he said in his April 6 letter to the council.
The request had been working its way through the Congressional Budget process, said McCourt, adding that Giffords' office informed him on March 17 that the grant had received approval in the amount of $95,000.
The original grant proposal was to construct a 6,000-square-foot building, he told the council.
"It would appear that the estimates to construct such a building were very optimistic since a building of that size would normally cost at least $100 per square foot," said Mc Court, adding that the estimated cost to construct it would be about $600,000.
City staff proposes exploring "the concept of building a 'wing' onto the northeast side of the library," he said.
"One proposed concept is to close Curtis (Street) to vehicular traffic at this point and integrate the street and the lot where the old public safety building is being torn down into a combination parking lot and small park," McCourt said.
"The earliest this grant is anticipated to show up is on the next federal fiscal year," October 2009 through September 2010, he added.
McCourt asked the council to permit staff "to continue to explore options on how to best use these funds to satisfy the needs of the community," and "to budget the estimated matching requirements in the city's 2010 budget."
Regarding the cost to the city, McCourt explained that there is a required 20 percent cash match to the total cost of the project.
"Therefore, if $95,000 equals 80-percent, 100-percent equals $118,750, and the city's 20 percent equals $23,750," said McCourt, adding, "This will be very difficult in the next fiscal year."
Ultimately, city council voted unanimously to direct staff to accept the $95,000 grant and explore options for its use.
Giffords' office issued a press release Friday morning announcing that the city had been awarded the grant.
"The center will serve up to 300 persons at a time in this remote, culturally-unique community," said the statement, which describes Willcox as "over an hour from the next town and over an hour and a half from a city with full senior citizens services."
"Construction of this facility will allow Willcox to offer these services to its seniors and those in surrounding areas. It will help keep our seniors active and serve as a food pantry for those in need," said the statement entitled, "Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords' fiscal year 2009 Project Funding Successes."
"It will also be a place where seniors could gather for educational and entertainment purposes."
By Carol Broeder/Arizona range news
The City of Willcox has learned it will receive a $95,000 grant for a proposed senior center, though it may not see the funds until October.
In March of 2008, the Willcox City Council approved submittal of a $200,000 grant through the office of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords for constructing and equipping a senior citizen building, said City Manager Pat McCourt.
The total $200,000 consisted of a $160,000 grant and a $40,000 local match, he said in his April 6 letter to the council.
The request had been working its way through the Congressional Budget process, said McCourt, adding that Giffords' office informed him on March 17 that the grant had received approval in the amount of $95,000.
The original grant proposal was to construct a 6,000-square-foot building, he told the council.
"It would appear that the estimates to construct such a building were very optimistic since a building of that size would normally cost at least $100 per square foot," said Mc Court, adding that the estimated cost to construct it would be about $600,000.
City staff proposes exploring "the concept of building a 'wing' onto the northeast side of the library," he said.
"One proposed concept is to close Curtis (Street) to vehicular traffic at this point and integrate the street and the lot where the old public safety building is being torn down into a combination parking lot and small park," McCourt said.
"The earliest this grant is anticipated to show up is on the next federal fiscal year," October 2009 through September 2010, he added.
McCourt asked the council to permit staff "to continue to explore options on how to best use these funds to satisfy the needs of the community," and "to budget the estimated matching requirements in the city's 2010 budget."
Regarding the cost to the city, McCourt explained that there is a required 20 percent cash match to the total cost of the project.
"Therefore, if $95,000 equals 80-percent, 100-percent equals $118,750, and the city's 20 percent equals $23,750," said McCourt, adding, "This will be very difficult in the next fiscal year."
Ultimately, city council voted unanimously to direct staff to accept the $95,000 grant and explore options for its use.
Giffords' office issued a press release Friday morning announcing that the city had been awarded the grant.
"The center will serve up to 300 persons at a time in this remote, culturally-unique community," said the statement, which describes Willcox as "over an hour from the next town and over an hour and a half from a city with full senior citizens services."
"Construction of this facility will allow Willcox to offer these services to its seniors and those in surrounding areas. It will help keep our seniors active and serve as a food pantry for those in need," said the statement entitled, "Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords' fiscal year 2009 Project Funding Successes."
"It will also be a place where seniors could gather for educational and entertainment purposes."
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