Orion township is ready to move forward with plans for a new senior center. Sort of.
The township board voted unanimously Feb. 1 to authorize the drawing up of a letter of intent in order to negotiate details with builder Mike Church.
The issue first came before the board in December.
As proposed, the three-story 27,000 square-foot building would serve as a community center-type building, replacing the township’s current senior center housed in the Union Church in downtown Lake Orion.
The building, constructed as part of a senior complex near Clarkston Road and M-24 would allow extensive programming for seniors, a capacity the township does not currently have, and also serve as a place to host large community events — potentially generating rental revenue for the township.
At an estimated cost of about $1.3 million, some township officials believe the price is right.
“Our senior center is somewhat old and somewhat creaky,? said Orion Township Supervisor Matthew Gibb. ‘It has substantial maintenance and utility costs and it’s not getting any cheaper.?
Winter heating bills in the center are currently running $500-$800 per month, Gibb said.
HVAC equipment is pulling itself from dry rot in floor structure, and rehabilitation, for both the Union Church and its use as a senior center, require nearly $1 million in work.
But the board wants more specifics before moving forward.
Clerk Penny Shults said she wanted to make sure the building would be environmentally friendly.
“All our efforts, when we’re doing anything new are green,” she said.
The proposed building would serve as part of Phase one in a three acre complex to include two six-unit ranch-style senior apartments for occupants 50 and older., said Church, who’s waiting on a decision from the township.
“I haven’t looked at funding yet,” He said. “I can’t go to the bank and say ‘the township might be interested.”
Gibb, for one, was pulling for the project’s approval.
“We almost need the senior housing more than we need the senior center,” he said, noting he often hears of seniors leaving the community to find suitable housing.
The project is expected back before the board in March.