Housing planned for senior center site

By Dave Clark

Thursday, Aug. 28, 2008 | midnight

The downtown senior center is expected to be razed next year to make way for a new building for low-income senior housing that would include a new center on the bottom floor.

The plans were unveiled in June, and Henderson spokeswoman Kathy Blaha said the project is being developed at no cost to the city thanks to a partnership with Nevada H.A.N.D., a nonprofit group that provides low-income housing.

"The city will lease the land to Nevada H.A.N.D., and in return they will lease the programming space to the city of Henderson," Blaha said. The city entered the partnership after officials received estimates upward of $1 million to remodel the downtown center.

"That's a lot of money," she said.

Nevada H.A.N.D. real estate development manager Jacque Haas was enthused about the partnership.

"It's going to bring much needed affordable housing for the downtown area," she said. "It's going to be one of the first affordable, mixed-use facilities in Henderson."

Henderson Parks and Recreation Director Mary Ellen Donner said the current building was constructed in 1944 by the federal government for Henderson and formerly served as a church. Blaha added it was never intended to be used as a recreational facility.

"Now we'll be able to do something specifically for senior programming," she said.

Construction is tentatively expected to begin next summer, after the Heritage Park Senior Center is open. The building will house 76 apartments for seniors. Donner did not yet know any specifics on the amenities of the new center.

Seniors will be able to attend the new Heritage Park facility while construction is ongoing at the current site. Transportation will be available from downtown, Blaha said.

Nevada H.A.N.D. was also involved in the low-income senior housing units called Pacific Pines, which are located downtown on the same block as the senior center. The new facility will resemble that neo-modern style housing.

Haas noted the building would likely have free laundry, a library and computer room with possibilities for an exercise room and salon.

"I think any senior would be proud to call it home," she said. "The rents are very affordable."

Tentatively, rents will range from $480 to $600 a month for a one-bedroom and a $575 to $720 a month for a two-bedroom, she said.

Blaha said the city had wanted to maintain a senior facility downtown after the completion of a 2006 survey of Henderson seniors, who supported a continuing presence in the city’s core.

"We wanted to maintain the level of service in a brand-new facility," she said.

Dave Clark is a reporter for the Home News. He can be reached at 990-2677 or [email protected].