02-27-12 Residential Neighborhoods Committee

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RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 27, 2012 Committee Members Present: Tim Scott, Karen White, Oliver Davis Citizen Members: Jen Tindell, Ken Bradford Other Council Members Present: Henry Davis, Jr., Valerie Schey, David Varner, Gavin Ferlic Others Present: Rev. Sylvester Williams, Jr., Kathleen Cekanski- Farrand, Kevin Allen, Mark Neal, Gary Gilot Agenda: Report on Conversion Old Marquette School to Senior Center Chairperson Tim Scott began the Residential Neighborhoods Committee meeting by acknowledging a quorum present which included three Councilmember's and both citizen members. The purpose of the meeting, Tim explained, was to begin public discussion regarding the possibility of the adaptive re -use of the old Marquette School into a senior center. More specifically Rev. Sylvester Williams Jr., was given a forum before the council to focus attention on what he termed a Senior Driven Initiative. The initiative, he explained, is to develop Marquette School into a Senior Life, Health, and Learning Campus. With the help of a handout (attached) Rev. Williams said talks among community leaders and health professionals are already underway and are encouraging. The highly regarded Battel Center in Mishawaka, also a re- purposed old school, can serve as a model he stated. Rev. Williams went on to mention the soon to be considered seniors "babyboomers" whose demographic segment will need such a place. Citizen member Jen Tindell said she was aware of many organizations who would be interested in such an initiative. They should all be "brought to the table." Tim thanked Rev. Williams for his efforts to contribute to the discussions.