First Center for Seniors Town Hall Meeting Addresses Concerns

As part of the effort to revitalize downtown Zanesville, The Muskingum County Center for Seniors will soon call the city’s historic district home.

Dozens of area seniors gathered Monday morning for the first town hall meeting to discuss what’s in store for the new center. The meeting was an opportunity for members to voice their opinions, as well as, share ideas about renovations to the new building. There were some mixed feelings among the crowd, from concerns over parking to accessibility, the center will be undergoing a lot of change. However, Executive Director, Ann Combs, said nothing will be different, other than the location.

“There has been concern about change, moving from this location to another location, is it the same size, will we be able to still have our dances, will we still have the activities that we’re used to, and the answer to that is yes, our intent is to keep things as they are and to potentially grow,” Combs said.

The new building sits at the corner of Shinnick and 4th Street in the heart of downtown Zanesville. Renovations have yet to begin, but Combs said the new center will be open for business by 2016.

“I think the seniors are grateful to the commissioners for purchasing this building, and having the opportunity to have a new center and not have a levy on the ballot, I think it was a huge win for muskingum county and for seniors,” Combs said.

The final town hall meeting will be November 23 at 6 p.m. at the John McIntire Library downtown.