BY SARAH STEPHENS
ELMORE/AUTAUGA NEWS
The Millbrook Senior Center is soon to become a reality downtown.
A site development plan for the large building were presented by Stuart Peters, City of Millbrook Engineer.
Also during the meeting, representatives with the Hampden Sidney Masonic Lodge #67 of Millbrook presented a check to Olivia Venable to help with expenses for supplies inside the Center once it is built.
“I am so excited about this new center for our area seniors,” Councilwoman Venable said. Venable also serves as the Director of the Millbrook Senior Center. “We have some fantastic senior centers in our area, but this one I believe is going to be one of the best and will attract seniors from throughout this area. With its size, we will be able to have a lot of different activities, something we have not been able to do with our limited space at the Memorial Center.”
For many years, the Millbrook Senior Center has been located in the Memorial Center near Village Green Park, but when construction is complete, the area seniors will have the new location all to themselves.
The City applied for and received a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant to help with the expense. However, the city was prepared to pay for the expense without the grant if necessary. “We have a very active senior population in Millbrook, and this new facility will be able to expand services and allow for growth,” Mayor Al Kelley said.
A large group of seniors who take part in activities locally were present for the city council meeting and spoke about their excitement. They commented how much they appreciate the efforts of the City Council and leaders to create their new daytime home. Others thanked department heads, such as Millbrook Fire Chief Larry Brown for his service, as well as that of his staff. They said they appreciate Millbrook Police Chief P.K. Johnson and his officers for making Millbrook a safe city for families to raise children.
The center will be located at 3771 Grandview Road (former Ashlyn’s Cake Cottage location and former McCrackin Office Products location.) The City purchased both of those lots last year, as it is connected to the former Millbrook Police Department already owned by the city.
“We have a vision for the downtown area that we have been talking about for a long time,” Mayor Kelley said. “It is a fantastic plan, that will not be finished in my time as Mayor. But we have already started it by making multiple improvements. We have purchased available land along Main Street downtown. In the not so distant future, you will see this plan come to be. When I was a kid growing up here, Millbrook was basically a bus stop. We had a few businesses, but this area didn’t start seeing tremendous growth until much later. Now we are at the beginning of another boom with new construction for both residential and economic development. It is an exciting time, but it is the result of plans that started long ago. Basically, those that love Millbrook are seeing some dreams become reality, and that reality will continue long after we are gone.”
As for the Senior Center, it will cover a 1.34 Acres. A breakdown of the building is:
4,425 SF total interior space
1,850 SF “Open Social Area” for social gatherings, instruction, meetings, activities, etc.
650 SF Classroom for additional gatherings, activities, learning area
Lobby Area – Entry from exterior, transition to other areas within building
Kitchen – Full function with counter space galore, center island, cabinets, refrigerator, freezer, oven, spacious sink
Men’s and Women’s Restrooms
Director’s Office
Office / Quiet Room
Storage / Mechanical Room
Storage / Janitorial Room
The exterior is “Farmhouse” themed with a spacious front porch, hardi-board exterior, dormers, metal roof, storefront entries and windows.
The design idea was to give it a nostalgic exterior feel with the comfort and convenience of modern amenities inside. It also has a tremendous amount of versatility within the “Open Social Area” and “Classroom” spaces. The long and spacious front porch, columns and slightly elevated stance of the building really ties in to the “Farmhouse” theme, according to Peters.
The exterior “round-about island” is for close proximity drop-off and incorporates an area for creative landscaping.
The back of building patio, backyard and side areas are for possible future organic gardening, outdoor classes, senior activities, etc.
David Mullen – DLM Architect, Inc. is the Architect and Greg Gillian – Larry Speaks & Associates were part of the civil design team.
Pamela Trammell and Leslie York w/ CARPDC along with Greg Clark, Executive Director helped in securing the CDBG for City.
City Council President spoke to the EAN about the overall vision for downtown, commenting on work that has already been done, or is in progress.
“We opened a new City Hall across from the Village Green. We turned the old city hall into an Economic Development Center which shares space with the Millbrook Area Chamber of Commerce. We gave the entire building a facelift. There have been improvements to the Village Green and Minnie Massey Park. Jim Cobb with the Building Department is working with landowners to clean up dilapidated structures. We have also welcomed Window World (opening soon) and new owners for the Smoke House. There are also road improvements planned with our government partners that will further improve the area,” Gay said.
Tomorrow the Elmore County Commission and the City of Millbrook will host a joint press conference concerning some of those road improvements at 10 am. at Village Green. In the case of rain, it will be moved to the Municipal Courtroom at the Millbrook Police/Court building on Grandview Road.
See more photos below:
