By Philip Curran, Staff Writer
The head of Princeton’s senior resource center faced questioning from council members Monday about a proposed $2 million renovation and expansion of the center given that nearly half of the users of the facility come from out of town.
Executive Director Susan W. Hoskins appeared before the governing body to give her annual report and outline details of what she said is a necessary renovation of the Suzanne Patterson Building located behind the Monument Hall municipal building, the former Borough Hall. The project would be funded mostly with private fundraising, although Ms. Hoskins is looking for $250,000 from the municipality and a $250,000 matching contribution from Mercer County.
Plans call for having a social gathering space with a new kitchen and reception area, renovating existing restrooms and making some other cosmetic improvements to existing offices and classrooms.
She said the building last was renovated in 2002. In the years since then, she said the resource center has grown and become a model program.
“We’ve outgrown the Suzanne Patterson building,” said Ms. Hoskins, who added that the resource center also has events off site at the library, Monument Hall and other locations for meetings, classes and support groups. “Our plan is to renovate and expand.”
She said she wants the center to look welcoming and inviting to better accommodate a “growing population of older adults.”
Ms. Hoskins pointed to census data showing the town has a higher ratio of older adults than the average for New Jersey and the rest of the country. Based on a projection, some 29 percent to 30 percent of the town’s population will older than 65 by 2030, she said. Both are higher than state or national averages, she added.
She told council that older adults today want social interaction and life-long learning. The organization averages about 1,300 people in its programs each week.
When it came for council questions, officials immediately began inquiring about how many of the current users of the center come from town.
In response to a question from Councilwoman Heather H. Howard, Ms. Hoskins said 50 percent to 55 percent of the people in programs are Princeton residents, the rest are not. She noted that social services are restricted to residents of town, however.
“In a way, we’re building a bigger building for residents in other towns,” Councilwoman Jenny Crumiller said at the meeting.
The council will have to decide whether to approve providing its share of the project that Ms. Hoskins is seeking. Officials gave no indication of how they plan to vote.
