LINDEN, MI – The city of Linden is moving forward with plans to renovate the Loose Senior Center, particularly its annex, which requires some long-overdue repairs.
Linden City Council members on Sept. 8 approved funding for the first two phases of the project, at a total cost of $214,775.
The project will be completed by Case Construction.
The senior center, located at 707 N. Bridge St., burned down in 2011 and was rebuilt in 2013.
The annex is the oldest existing part of the original building that wasn’t destroyed in the fire, according to City Manager Ellen Glass.
The annex serves as the senior center’s kitchen and lunchroom, as well as a multi-purpose space for various activities, Glass said in a letter to Mayor Elizabeth Armstrong and the city council.
“The annex has definitely needed a little TLC for a very long time, and I know some of you guys that have been back there and experienced, especially in the kitchen area, that firsthand,” Glass said during the meeting.
The annex is used for nutritional programming, socialization, and entertainment activities, Glass said in her letter to Armstrong and the city council, noting that these are all features of the programming required by the Genesee County Office of Senior Services.
“The Annex serves as an essential space to meet the growing needs of the Loose Senior Center,” Glass said in the letter. “Renovation of this space is a critical step in supporting our continued commitment to expanding and enhancing senior services.”
Plans for the annex renovation project include carpeting, ceiling, restroom, and kitchen improvements.
“All of that stuff is just necessary,” Glass said during the meeting. “The only major structural changes would be the bathrooms.”
The city does not currently have any plans to replace any of the appliances in the center’s kitchen such, as its commercial stove.
“The stuff’s in good condition and they have maintenance on it on a regular basis,” Glass said during the meeting. “If there’s some smaller items that we need to replace, we may do that.”
Bids for the project came in a bit higher than anticipated, which is why the city is opting to complete the renovation in phases, Linden City Manager Ellen Glass said during the meeting.
The first phase of the project includes initial project management, permitting, structural reinforcement, and critical exterior work at the annex, while the second phase will include mechanical and electrical work.
The cost of the first two project phases will be paid for with $100,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding and $67,000 in Community Block Development Grant funding from Fenton Township.
The remainder of the project cost will be paid for with general Loose Senior Center funding.
“It should be pretty straightforward, but it’s complex because of the funding mechanism,” Glass said during the meeting.
Construction is expected to begin on Sept. 29 at the center and be substantially completed by January 2026, according to a letter Case Construction Project Manager Chris Honea sent to the city.
The city also plans to build a new addition that would replace the center’s existing sun room, according to Glass.
However, the council will consider plans for this phase of the project at a later date because it needs to first secure additional funding.