ISHPEMING — A $2.2 million grant could make all the difference for senior citizens in the Ishpeming area.

The Community Development Block Grant, if approved, would mean the existing facility at 320 S. Pine St. would be demolished and replaced with a new multipurpose building at 121 Greenwood St.

Dozens of people from all over Marquette County attended a public hearing during the Aug. 7 Ishpeming City Council meeting with several voicing their support for the measure.

Following the public hearing, councilors voted unanimously to adopt a resolution and approve submission of the grant application to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which administers the CDBG requests.

According to the resolution, the $75,000 cost to demolish the existing structure, in addition to architectural and engineering costs attributable to that part of the project will count toward the $244,523 local match.

The 10% match for the proposed cost to construct the new building will be provided by the Greater Ishpeming Commission on Aging.

“The GICOA has already raised funds in the approximate amount of $130,000 to apply to its portion of the 10% matching funds,” the resolution states, “and has committed to raising the balance needed to meet its portion of the 10% matching funds in the event that the CDBG is awarded.”

Although the existing building has been deemed safe for the activities that are currently held there, such as meetings, noon meals, card leagues and games, classes and elections, it has several structural and mechanical issues.

Ishpeming resident David Savu, who has been active in the effort to improve the senior center, listed some of the problems during the public hearing, including an issue with the floor of the building.

“For the record, we need to understand that the slab, the concrete slab floor is heaving in the center,” Savu said. “I spoke to the architect … and it appears that the crown on the floor where the floor is heaving runs almost completely east to west in the building. His feeling is, and I concur, that the slab is splitting in half where the location of the crown is.”

Councilor Pat Scanlon acknowledged that the current facility has several known issues. He said the city has taken several steps to ensure the building is safe, including marking the trip hazards on the floor, ensuring the exit signs are lit and making repairs to the heating system.

“We have a licensed contractor report on the condition of the senior center,” Scanlon said. “The contractor has said that the building is safe until the new building is put up.”

Ishpeming Senior Center Director Elise Bertucci thanked the council, local seniors and Savu for supporting the effort.

“I have always said I have the best job in the world and I feel that this new facility … will be a gift for the seniors and a great resource for the city of Ishpeming, too,” Bertucci said.

According to the CDBG funding guide, the grant application and approval is a multi-step process that may take between six to 12 months depending on the complexity of the project.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development allocates CDBG funding to the state through the Michigan Strategic Fund.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is lbowers@miningjournal.net.