Tri-County Citizen

Montrose Township turns old city office into senior center annex




MONTROSE – Montrose Township officials plan to utilize the old Montrose City office building, 141 Parkway St., to expand the programs offered by the senior center, as well as providing additional parking for the senior center.

In December, the City of Montrose opened sealed envelopes containing bids for the former city office building. There were three bids. Montrose Township was the high bidder at $35,000. On Tuesday, Jan. 15, the Montrose Township Board confirmed the purchase and allocated an additional $5,000 to remove a wall to update it. Montrose Township Supervisor Mark Emmendorfer said the township could have some of its employees tear out the wall between the front office and the council chamber to open up a larger space for the seniors. He believes they will be able to use the space by spring.

Senior center director Sara Warren explained that having the additional building allows the center to have multiple programs running at the same time. Yoga is a larger group that prefers quiet, as does the writers group.

Emmendorfer pointed out that they will have to make the entrance handicap accessible.

Township trustee Dar Eldred commented about how the senior center has grown and grown. Now they have the opportunity to expand and gain another building with some additional parking. He supports it.

The township board unanimously approved the purchase of the city office building for $35,000 and transferred an additional $5,000 into the account for improvements.