BANGOR, Maine — The Hammond Street Senior Center could soon leave its historic home at 2 Hammond St. in a bid to reduce costs and find more parking for its membership.
Officials with the senior center announced Tuesday that their board of directors has voted unanimously to list the property for sale.
Executive Director Kathy Bernier said they have not selected a new location or set a moving date yet.
“It will depend on when and if we sell this building,” she said.
“We could sell in seven days. We could sell in seven months,” she said.
Senior center officials attributed the board’s decision, in part, to a shortage of parking in the downtown area.
Bernier said there are just 29 spaces available in their lot for about 500 active members who visit the center at least weekly.
She said the board also was motivated by a desire to reduce building costs, saying the 1911 structure exceeds the membership’s space needs and comes with increased utility, maintenance and flood insurance costs.
The proposed relocation comes as the senior center plans a move designed to increase its membership by attracting younger seniors.
“With the senior center, you have a population that continues to age, so you need to continue to bring in members from the younger set, too,” Bernier said. “So we need to keep our programming vital and interesting so that new members want to join without thinking of the stereotype senior center. We want to be all inclusive.”
Bernier said they haven’t really explored programming changes yet, but new programs could include hiking, biking and more night activities.
Bangor property tax records show the senior center owns a total of 0.45 acres at 2 Hammond St. with an assessed value of $616,000. As a nonprofit entity, it does not pay taxes on the property.
The Hammond Street Senior Center was founded in 1999 by John and Elaine Couri of Ridgefield, Connecticut. They operated it through their charitable foundation known as the Couri Foundation.
In 2011, ownership of the Hammond Street property and all of its assets were transferred to Hammond Street Senior Center Inc., a newly established and locally controlled nonprofit.
The senior center providers a range of services to individuals 55 and over. Its programs include continuing education, fitness, socialization, arts and crafts and special events, according to center officials.
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