LETTER: Port needs a safer, one-story building for its senior center

To Ozaukee Press:

This is in response to Debbie Postl’s letter to the editor in last week’s Ozaukee Press (“Revitalized Senior Center is humming with new activity”). I completely agree with everything she wrote, but I’d like to add a very important point she didn’t mention.

Our current Senior Center is a three-story former church with very limited parking. Years ago, our old center became far too small, and the city helped us move into this new location after Franklin Energy vacated it. The city did install an elevator (thank you for that), but the building is still far from ideal for senior use.

At the same time, the Aurora building was for sale—a perfect alternative. It was a newer, single-story building with plenty of parking. Unfortunately, we missed that opportunity.

Accessibility and safety remain serious concerns. For example, if a fire were to occur in the front of the building, there is no handicapped-accessible exit in the back. And that’s just one of many issues with this structure.

When our current mayor was campaigning, one of the promises made was to secure a new space for a senior center/community center. Well, the city somehow found $34 million for a state-of-the-art police and fire department building. Why not allocate a portion of that money—or find additional funds—to finally give our seniors a safe, accessible and welcoming place of their own?

As someone who’s been involved with the Senior Center for 25 years—both as an employee and a member—I’ve served on many committees trying to find solutions for a new facility. Now that I’m one of the older members, I sincerely hope the younger generation of seniors will finally see the new center we’ve long needed.

One last thought—perhaps Vantage, the data center developer with its billions, would consider donating a new community/senior center in exchange for naming rights?

Bonnie Knaub

Port Washington