From the Office of the Mayor:
Mayor Ryan is recommending to City Council tonight the sale of the Greenman Senior Center to Opportunities for Broome, a step that will save city taxpayers more than $1 million over five years and re-open a facility that has been closed for more than sixteen months.
“My administration has consistently shown strong support for our seniors, from funding the expansion of senior programs to working with AARP and partners to make our streets more senior-friendly” said Mayor Ryan. “This was a difficult decision, but in the end, it's clear to me this sale will allow us to focus limited resources to improve our one senior center, save taxpayers more than one million dollars over five years, and bring together many community agencies and programs that will offer new opportunities for our low-income populations, seniors, and working families.”
The Greenman Senior Center has been closed since the fall of 2011 after the nearly 40-yearold heating and cooling system collapsed. Repair estimates from multiple vendors have ranged from $180,000 to $250,000. With no funding source in sight, and given the center in 2011 served lunches to an average of only 30 individuals a day—about half of whom were not city residents—the administration started to explore other options.
“The last few years, we made hard budget choices in the face of serious fiscal pressures, and here we have a chance to make a smart choice with a long-term goal in mind,” said Mayor Ryan. “I've always done what I thought was right for Binghamton's future. I've never made the politically expedient decision, and I'm not about to start now.”
Earlier this year, the administration discussed potential scenarios with Council and recommended testing the market for potential purchasers. The Council unanimously supported the recommendation, and a formal request for proposals was publicly issued in early February. Opportunities for Broome submitted the only proposal.
Opportunities for Broome submitted a bid for $75,000 and proposes to use the facility as a commercial kitchen training center, and to bring under one roof existing programs, such as the Binghamton Homeownership Academy and VITA tax services organized by the United Way of Broome County.
Mayor Ryan is recommending the proceeds from the sale go toward a dedicated fund to carry out future improvements and repairs to the First Ward Senior Center.
“With smaller budgets and fewer resources, we must focus our investments in a way that shows our long-term commitment to our aging loved ones,” said Mayor Ryan. “That’s why I’m recommending that every penny from this sale be dedicated to making repairs and upgrades at the First Ward Senior Center.”
A cost-benefit analysis of three scenarios—leaving the center vacant; repairing, re-staffing and reopening the center; and selling the center to OFB—is included with this release and will be shared with City Council members at tonight's work session.
The proposal from Opportunities for Broome has strong support from the city’s Parks and Recreation Department and Planning, Housing and Community Development Department.
Carol Quinlivan, Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation, stated:
“I know this will be emotionally difficult for some, but we need to make the responsible choice for all residents and taxpayers. Daily lunches for seniors are available downtown at the housing authority, and now that we’ve consolidated limited staffing resources to one center, we are actually serving our city seniors better. It will take more than one million in local tax dollars over the next five years to repair and re-staff an underutilized second senior center. It makes more sense to invest our limited tax dollars to repair and maintain our parks, pools, and fields, which are enjoyed by thousands.”
Tarik Abdelazim, Director of Planning, Housing and Community Development, said:
“We can have an empty senior center that is a major liability to taxpayers and the neighborhood, or we can have a vibrant community center that offers expanded programs and services to seniors, low-income residents, and struggling working families. Opportunities for Broome put together a great proposal, with the support from the United Way and housing agencies. We all hope Council sees this as a positive step forward to improving services at our senior center in the First Ward, and expanding housing services and job training opportunities for city residents.”
