Its been some time since the city purchased property near the intersection of Highway 10 and 71. Work, however, is now underway for the necessary upgrades and remodeling work needed for the new senior center.
During the November council meeting, Greenwood Mayor Doug Kinslow presented a slideshow updating council on the progress being made. It was also announced that Mike Cohea had won the bid for the remodel.
Councilmember Brown stated that while the progress looked good, “he still has a difficult time, especially in light of the recent tragedy, to put senior citizens in a building that doesn’t have adequate fire protection, and he feels the city should actively try to find a suitable means of fire suppression before allowing the seniors to occupy it.”
Mayor Kinslow responded that he was in agreeance and had been looking at solutions. “I have
contacted the Church of Christ adjacent to it (the property) to ask them if the city could use the pond in the event it is needed as a backup or secondary source, and they have agreed that it would be available.” Kinslow added that he had also been speaking to James Fork and ARDOT about the possibility of a fire hydrant to locate on the west side of the highway. “In my opinion, the city should be thinking heavily about installing that infrastructure along there as they widen the highway.”
Additionally, Kinslow noted that Fire Chief Stuart Bryan has called the state fire marshal, and they stated that since occupancy is not being changed, nor buildings being added, the green light has been given as far as fire protection goes. Kinslow has instructed Chief Bryan to do whatever is necessary in terms of fire protection for the interior of the facility.
Of the proposed solutions, Mayor Kinslow stated that a pond was engineered at an estimated cost of $300,000. “I understand that half the council was against this project to begin with, and it is in full swing…No city money other than engineering money has been spent so far. The building was bought and paid for with ARPA money and it was a great deal because one day it will be worth double that… A grant is completely paying for the remodel with $39,000 left on the table…I ask for it to go back into the building where things were removed due to value engineering whether it’s water, pond, whatever it is.”
Mayor Kinslow recommitted to his promise to ensure that the senior citizens of Greenwood have a safe, new center to enjoy for years to come.
