By JANET McGREGOR
Contributing Writer

Almost since the first site was purchased to house Fayette Senior Services in 1978, there has been an active hope that a larger facility that could offer more services and options to seniors would someday be a reality.

Through the years various boards and directors at Fayette Senior Services have been close at times to seeing their dream for a new building come true. However, each time they ran into a wall, which ultimately stopped the process.

With the explosive growth of the senior population in Fayette County, it has become imperative for the agency to expand its services and to find a new location. The original, and current facility on Lee Street in Fayetteville, the garage, trailer and house, equal 4,161 square feet. It was built in 1905 and can serve 50 residents.

Andy Carden, director of FSS, said, “There is no room to expand. The facility is a fire hazard. The growth of the county has been such that we need to grow to address their needs. We can't do that where we are.”

He continued, “Seniors need to be treated like first-class citizens, not forgotten.”

In 1996 the possibility of moving into the old Fayette County High School facility was actively pursued. By 1997 the FSS Board had expanded the quest to include other options. The board was considering building a new facility on the current site on Lee Street, on what is known as the McElwaney property, or possibly on the YMCA property off Ga. Highway 54 west of Fayetteville.

The board approached the Fayette County Commission regarding its pursuit of a new facility and, in late 1998, the board approved designation of three acres for a new senior citizen facility. The property was to be on the land that currently houses the county jail and, according to the county's current plans, will house a new jail and judicial facility.

According to Carden, “We cranked up our energy level when we received the three acres.”

In 1999 the commissioners withdrew the reservation, as definite plans had not yet been drawn up for the jail and judicial complex. Commissioners Harold Bost and Greg Dunn addressed the FSS board and explained the situation, and assured them they would ultimately be provided with the land; it just might be in a different location.

In August 1999 the commissioners approved a conceptual site plan that included three acres for the new senior facility. In September, the commissioners officially designated the land for the new senior facility.

In the interim months, the FSS board was not idle. They visited other senior centers, set up a design subcommittee to discuss programs and future needs FSS should plan to meet and put together a fund development committee.

The committee requested bids from architectural firms and hired Allen-Smith Consulting Firm as the project consultant and grant writers for the Community Development Block Grant Application. When the architectural bids were received, FSS reviewed them and selected Flynn-Finderup Architects.

Carden has been actively pursuing funding sources, doing research and has been involved in every step of the process. According to Jim Steinbach, building committee and FSS board member, “Andy has been very meticulous about the process.”

The committee determined the budget for the building of the new facility to be $2.2 million.

FSS is actively pursuing various grants from which it expects to net close to $900,000. Fayette County currently allocates $25,000 a year toward the group's building project. FSS expects to have amassed close to $200,000 from the county funds by mid-2000.

Fayette Senior Services also is hoping that the citizens and businesses in the area will assist in raising money for the building. Through a variety of efforts board members are hoping to raise $500,000 from the community. They will be holding fund-raisers and will be talking one-on-one with business and community leaders.

Their plans include presentations to companies with a track record of giving to senior organizations and other community efforts.

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