Senior Center to get automatic doors, safer walkway
The Anderson County Commission has approved a $99,900 project to make the Anderson County Senior Center at 96 Mariner Point easier to access.
The renovations will include a new vestibule, an automatic door, and a walkway with a more-even surface than the current one.
The project will be built at the current entrance.
County Mayor Terry Frank, who introduced the measure during the commission’s July 21 meeting, said the work will also improve energy efficiency.
Frank said she hopes construction will begin in August. During the work, visitors will enter on the side of the building facing Mariner Point Drive.
“The doors can be challenging for seniors, especially those with walkers, canes or wheelchairs,” Frank said. “Having an automatic door opener is vitally important to ensure access to our facility, services and programming.”
The county will use $49,000 previously set aside for Americans with Disabilities Act compliance, along with a $50,000 grant from the Tennessee Department of Disability and Aging and the East Tennessee Human Resources Agency.
“I have not received any official complaints, but comments have been made by seniors about needing one, and we often have seen seniors struggling,” Frank said in an email to The Courier News. “Often staff or another attendee will jump up to help hold a door open. Our building maintenance team has had this on a list of desired projects for a long time.”
The commission approved the project as part of a single budget vote that also included several other measures:
• $427,444 from opioid lawsuit settlements to assist government agencies and nonprofits that address opioid and addiction issues.
• $300,947 for special education at Anderson County Schools.
• $1 million for a bond issue to pay for a new Claxton Elementary School at the former Crossroads Christ Fellowship Church site.
• $722,585 for roof repairs at the county jail.
• $12,403.50 from insurance to the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office for a June vehicle crash.
• $1,200 from the state for animal spay-and-neuter services.
In a separate vote in July, the commission agreed to allow citizens to make credit card payments to the Anderson County Archives and Records Department.
The Anderson County Senior Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Programs include mandolin classes, bingo and more.
For information, call 865-457-3259.
