Larry Tucker, Humboldt administrator, told Allen County commissioners Tuesday they could make a difference in the city’s efforts to attract a grant to build a new community center.
The center, which would replace the Humboldt Senior Center, would be at the north edge of town, west of Arrowood assisted living complex and in the midst of a proposed senior housing project.
Plans were for a 2,000 square foot building costing about $240,000; commissioners suggested expanding that to 2,500 square feet for a cost of about $350,000, noting building a larger center now would be more cost-effective than adding on later.
The grant requires a local match of 15 percent if an application is filed by June 15. Opting for an October deadline raises the local match to 50 percent. An earlier application failed because the local match wasn’t sufficient. Humboldt has $20,000 earmarked for the project, which leaves $32,500 for the county to commit. That could include in-kind contribution of materials, labor and equipment.
“We need to help make the community center project work,” said Commission Chairman Gary McIntosh.
The county’s participation wouldn’t be unprecedented. Allen County constructed new centers in Iola, Moran and LaHarpe and supports Humboldt’s current center, located in two old side-by-side buildings downtown.
A tour Tuesday afternoon revealed a dungeon-like basement, damp and distressed, and an unused second story with peeling wallpaper and fallen plaster. The senior center itself is clean and neat but its floor gives noticeably when walked upon and upkeep is a constant concern, said commissioner and Humboldt resident Dick Works.
The current center is home to congregate meals, the distribution point for meals delivered to the elderly, and a daily gathering spot for local seniors. It is also rented out for family and small community events.
BEFORE the tour, commissioners were given an overview of the 55 and older housing project. It’s construction will depend on approval of tax-credit financing that would keep it a rental enterprise for 30 years.
The housing project was the outgrowth of a survey Humboldt conducted two years ago.
Tucker said senior housing was considered a good fit by respondents and that some out-of-town respondents indicated interest if the project were built.
Initially, 12 units for income-qualified seniors would be built by Excel Development Group of Lincoln, Neb., on land directly west of Arrowood, said Excel’s Bill Caton.
The construction timeline depends on whether tax-credit funding materializes, Caton said. If it does, as anticipated, by fall, the first units could be ready for occupancy in summer or early fall of next year.
Caton said Excel was supportive of a community center, which would be focal point for those living in his company’s housing, residents of Arrowood and others in town.
Addressing the center’s location, Humboldt Mayor Bob Sharp noted, “Most people drive to the senior center now,” and predicted those who don’t wouldn’t have trouble finding a ride in the close-knit community.
Tucker noted the center would be within easy walking distance of Moon’s Grocery and the new Dollar General store and a stone’s throw from the Humboldt Golf Course.
