Washington County Eyes Another Location for the Senior Center
By: Jessica Reyes
Updated: November 27, 2012
This time it's the former U.S. Army Reserve Center on Willard Street.
"It's a great area of town right off of the beautiful golf course," says Ronald Bowers, a concerned citizen. "It's at an area that is extremely nice at the end of Franklin Street and Willard Street, there's a lot that can be done."
This facility is 19,000 square feet and is comprised of three separate buildings.
County officials hope it's large enough to house the offices of the Commission On Aging.
"Its going to need modifications there's a lot of land there," says Bowers. "If it's done correctly, there could be a nice complex that includes things other than a Senior Center."
But one senior asked the commissioners to consider staying at the Girls Inc., and expanding the existing facility.
The problem is commissioners are working against time. They have a federal grant that needs to be used by the end of the year.
They've decided to try to purchase the former reserve center from the city for $625,000.
"I think the process that's been going on for several years with the senior center is something that needs to be concluded," says Bowers."I think as they do it they need to take into consideration about having everything in one spot."
"I'm not sure that there's any win-win situation," says Richard Gruber, another concerned citizen
Now it's up to the city of Hagerstown to decide if they want to sell the former U.S. Reserve building or not.



