County Aging Department seeks larger building |
|
• Cost estimate close to $1.5 million. It’s no secret that the Columbus County Department of Aging has been exploring opportunities to relocate its headquarters to a new building. Last year talks of selling the present building and purchasing or constructing a new one were shrouded in secret closed session talks and commissioners turned down a later request to begin a fundraiser drive for a new building. “The Columbus County Department of Aging is making every effort to work out of 8,500 square feet,” the resolution reads in part, and goes on to explain that the department “has been offered the opportunity” to purchase the former grocery store in south Whiteville for $675,000. Renovations are estimated at an additional $575,000. Estimates for architectural fees ($100,000) equipment and furnishings ($100,000) and permits bring the total projected costs of the project to just less than $1.5 million. The document notes that: “with 37,000 square feet (the building) would help the Department of Aging expand and grow at a rapid pace for the next 20 years.” “I have one area of concern,” Commissioner Ricky Bullard said. “I support asking for the funding 110 percent but my concern is we are pinning ourselves to the old Piggly Wiggly building.” Bullard said he thought the county “should ask for the money” but “let it be open” to other possibilities or buildings. “I don’t want to ask for money and be pinned to one building,” Bullard insisted. He asked if any estimates had been obtained for what it might cost to build a new building. “Could we build a new building for $1.5 million?” Bullard asked. “Are these accurate figures?” he asked Worley. “It’s a conservative estimate,” Worley said. “It’s nothing elaborate.” Bullard asked if the resolution could be amended to request the funds but not specify any one building. “It (the former Piggly Wiggly store) is the only building that would accommodate a 20-year growth rate,” Worley said. Commissioner Ronald Gore agreed with Bullard. “I think we need not to earmark this thing for a particular building,” Gore said. “You need to get the most for your money. “I’m very much aware of the conditions at the Department of Aging – nobody needs space more than Ed Worley and his folks out there but if we can build a building for $1.3 milion or there is a better option, I don’t want to get my hands tied.” Worley explained that the advisory council had already sent the resolution to Sen. R.C. Soles Jr. and Rep. Dewey Hill and he was only asking that the board endorse it as is. He said the board was not committing to any one building. “You’re under the impression it is not binding to put that building in the resolution,” Bullard asked for clarification before the full board adopted the resolution. The county department provides in-home services, operates a nutrition and meal program, and offers senior activities at several locations in the county, including Bug Hill, East Columbus, Fair Bluff, Tabor City and Whiteville. Most programs are administered from the Whiteville headquarters where 32 full-time and part-time employees work in-house daily. Approximately 180 seniors attend the Whiteville center each day for lunch, exercise programs and other services or activities. About 70,000 meals are served annually through the various branches and meals are delivered to homebound seniors where available. The estimated fair market value of the senior center headquarters in Whiteville is $475,000 to $500,000, according to an appraisal prepared by local broker and appraiser Lacy Wilson last year. The department’s Whiteville headquarters are situated on 1.12 acres at the corner of Washington Street and Legion Drive in Whiteville. The lot is a portion of a 30-acre tract of county-owned land.
|
|