PRC MIN 1975-07-23 - Laserfiche WebLink

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- " 98 programs important to havi~~ a truly community-wide senior recreation and social service center. Supervisors Hartman and Kucala reviewed the various types of programs with respect to what would be possible, what was found to be successful in other areas, and what the Committee felt were.~the_needs of the seniors in Redwood City. They indicated to the Commission the basic concept of what a truly full-service senior facility would offer to the community. The scope of the program would provide a total program for all the senior citizen interests in Redwood City. It was pointed out that the Committee recommended to have a Senior Advisory Board which would be formed Committee recommended to have a Senior Advisory Board which would be formed to deal specifically with the senior citizen services for the total com- munity and act as an advisory group to the staff as well as to the Parks and Recreation Commission. The discussion moved into the area of the types of facilities necessary to adequately serve the needs of the seniors. Space requirements were dis- cussed along with equipment that might be required for taking care of senior center needs. In order to accommodate these needs, it would be necessary to have at least 1-1/2 to 2 acres with a 12,000 to 14,000 square foot building. This is on the assumption that a building would be constructed. With these determinations, the Committee reviewed the ~edwood City community as to available facilities which might be utilized. The school sites that were available were researched and found to be quite inadequate. Other sites (downtown Redwood City and the Armory) were also reviewed. The Committee concluded with fundamentally three basic options, all located in Red Morton Community Park and all taking advantage of existing facilities: 1. 2. 3. The Community Activities Building The Veterans Memorial Building The possibility of adding additional property near and adjacent to the Veterans Memorial Building for the basic fundamental structures that are needed and then jointly using both the con- structed senior center facilities and the Veterans Memorial Building. The use factors of both facilities were discussed. Utilization of either structure would affect the current use of both buildings to some degree. The Committee's first choice for a facility was the Community Activities Building. It was felt that even though both buildings had certain drawbacks and both needed additions, probably the best solution for the Center would be to locate it in the Red Morton Community Park area compatible with the planning of the park. Mr. Weeks displayed the General Plan of the park in order to better explain how the addition might tie in with present park con- struction. He briefly reviewed the plan with the Commission. There did not appear to be any significant conflict with the site plan for the park. The methods of funding were discussed. Mr. Weeks indicated that the staff and the Committee researched as thoroughly as possible the available methods. It was found that there really were no current funds available from federal sources, except that which might be included in a Community Development Pro- gram. The Community Development Program, as conceived, can provide funds for multi-purpose senior facilities if it is a part of that community develop- ment planning program. The Older Americans Act is not as yet funding mul ti- purpose senior centers. So far as the state and county funds are concerned, much of their funding comes from the same federal sources and the staff was unabl e to find any immediate support, except that which might resul t from joint community development funding efforts. ',. "; ~