FLORENCE, Ky. (June 11, 2012) – Gov. Steve Beshear joined local leaders today for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Florence Senior Activity Center.
The new 8,700 s.f. facility is located at 7341 U.S. Hwy. 42, the site of the former Florence City Building. The new building will provide adequate space to meet the programming and physical needs of seniors in the area.
“Ensuring that our seniors have adequate access to services is a priority of my administration,” Beshear said. “The new Florence Senior Activity Center will provide a much-needed, permanent facility in the community for seniors to access educational, recreational and nutritional resources to increase their overall quality of life.”
In May 2010, the governor presented the city of Florence with a $500,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) to assist with construction of the new center. The CDBG funds supplemented an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) and funding from the city of Florence.
“Initiatives such as this help more than just a few individuals — they improve the quality of life for the community as a whole,” said Tony Wilder, Commissioner of the Department for Local Government. “This project, which has been designed to provide seniors with sufficient space for activities while also utilizing maximum safety considerations, will have a significant impact on the city of Florence.”
Transportation and congestion issues made it difficult for residents to reach senior centers outside Florence, leaving approximately 6,667 seniors, or 23 percent of Florence’s population, with a lack of services. The new facility is conveniently located in downtown Florence with nearby availability of public transportation, municipal buildings and other important services.
In addition to meeting the accessibility requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the building utilizes energy-efficient technology, such as a geothermal HVAC system and a green roof system.
“We once again thank Gov. Beshear and his administration for their continued commitment to communities around the commonwealth,” said Florence Mayor Diane Whalen. “The Florence Senior Activity Center will create an atmosphere of support, with the goal of offering the highest quality of life and community services to all of our residents.”
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