Jackson breaks ground for senior center

Their faces may have been decorated with age lines. Their hair may have long ago lost the original color and thickness.

But there was an unmistakable childlike enthusiasm just off East Main Street Tuesday when about 30 seniors celebrated the official groundbreaking for the new senior center in Jackson.

Seniors laughed and carried on as officials, senior center board members and contributors lined up for photos.

The project is five years in the making, a culmination of creative ideas and uncommon generosity.

The seniors who use the current center on Washington Street say the upgrade is badly needed for space and wheelchair access. The center's board has been searching for more space for the last five years.

About three years ago, developer Chad Hartle -- who has developed several senior apartment complexes in town -- came up with an idea and shared it with fellow developer John Lichtenegger.

The end result: Lichtenegger donated the land. And Hartle's plans for a new senior apartment complex -- adjacent to Lichtenegger's land -- was needed to secure a $200,000 state grant to go toward a new senior center.

Lichtenegger land was valued at $110,000, but memories of his father's involvement at the current center made his decision easy.

Melvin Lichtenegger owned a store and parking lot on Washington Street and sold his building to the seniors.

"He just loved it," John Lichtenegger said. "He was down there just about every day working and cooking, and I got to see how much fun he was having. Obviously, they're way out of space now and between Chad and my dad, well that was it."

The seniors are still having fun down there, but director Debbie Stockton said the new building, estimated to cost between $750,000 and $800,000, will provide many more opportunities.

"We can have so many new programs," she said. "Like a computer class where they can learn how to get on the Internet and e-mail; square dances, anything seniors like to do."

The current building, at least 60 years old, has many flaws, Stockton said.

Because of its age, the building does not meet wheelchair standards set by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

"Definitely the bathrooms need more room for the handicapped," said Doris Jones, a regular senior center attendee.

Also, cooks rub elbows in the tiny kitchen, freezers are stored throughout the building for food. There is limited parking, limited seating in the dining room, little area for programs and a tiny office.

Some dirt work -- approximately $5,000 donated by Tom Beussink -- has already been completed. Depending on the weather, organizers expect a quick completion, in as little as three months.

In addition to the $200,000 grant and Lichtenegger's $110,000 land donation, an anonymous gift of $100,000 was donated toward the project. Wallace Architect donated $35,000, and $81,000 in senior center savings will go toward the project. Crown Cadillac-Oldsmobile Nissan and Koehler Engineering also donated $2,500 to the project.

The center expects to sell its current property for around $140,000, leaving the center about $75,000 to $100,000 short for the project, depending on the particular expenses for the building. It was able to finance the rest through Montgomery Bank of Jackson.

bmiler@semissourian.com

243-6635