Construction of a new senior center in Arcadia will be funded in part through more than $200.000 allocated from federal Community Development Block Grant funds for the 1988-89 fiscal year, not through an exchange of money with another city that would have cost Arcadia about $75,000.
Arcadia could build a multi-purpose Senior Citizen Center for $1.5 million plus the cost of the property, according to a report submitted to the City Council by Warren Shaw, chairman of the Arcadia Senior Citizen's Commission. The report indicated that most of the money would come from state and federal sources, but that Arcadia would need to chip in at least $225,000 of matching funds. The center is necessary, Shaw said, due to a current lack of senior citizen facilities.
An ad hoc committee of seniors plans to collect 5,000 signatures by the end of February asking the Arcadia City Council to commit itself to acquiring a senior center.
Arcadia's new senior center will be built at the Rose Garden at the corners of Huntington and Campus Drives. The city will start taking bids for the proposed $2.5 million, 18,000-square foot building in April. (At least 21% of the city population is over age 60.)
The new Senior Citizen Center, now in the architectural drawing stage of development will replace the Rose Garden at the corner of Huntington and Campus Drives. The center will house the administration offices of the Arcadia Parks and Recreation Department and the Historical Museum.
A building contract for a senior citizens center has been awarded to Nationwide Construction of Downey. Groundbreaking is anticipated in three months. The center will be built on the triangular piece of land at the intersection of Holly Avenue and Campus and Huntington Drives across from the Chamber of Commerce.
Senior citizens center still faces many, many obstacles. Since the formation of the Arcadia Senior Citizens' Commission in 1978 one of its goals has been to acquire or construct a senior citizens/community center.
The city has decided against trying to lease a vacated elementary school for a senior citizen center. Seniors are interested in having a drop-in center but the additional cost of leasing a school would not be justified.
A site has yet to be located for the new housing project for senior citizens and handicapped persons. After a site is chosen, hope- fully by January 1982, another 21 months would be required for construction. Reservations and applications will not be taken until a few months before completion.
The City Council met in special session to hear a presentation by Thomas Safran, a specialist in senior citizen housing. The Arcadia Senior Citizen Commission contends the council isn't moving fast enough on the issue. An advisory vote by the people on senior citizen housing will probably appear on the June primary ballot.
A new senior retirement hotel has been approved by the Arcadia Planning Commission over the objections of both the development's neighbors and a competitor. The 110-room project will be located at the site of what is now a mortuary at 607-611 West Duarte Road.
Lee Lurie has been selected Arcadia Senior Citizen of the year. Lurie has been very active this past year in senior citizen projects and in the scouting program. Biographical notes are included.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has approved a site for a federally subsidized $6.2 million, 100-unit senior housing project to be located at 665 West Naomi Avenue.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development has approved a loan of $6,148,200 to Senior Christian Housing Foundation, Inc. for construction of a 100 unit housing project for elderly and handicapped persons. A site has not yet been secured.
City received word from office of Sen. Alan Cranston that 75 units (for low-income senior citizens) will be added to the 100 already promised by Dept. of Housing and Urban Development for the Naomi Avenue site in West Arcadia.