BRODHEAD - The City of Brodhead will take a look at putting the old public library building at 902 W. 2nd Ave. back into use.
"People are wondering why we can't move the Senior Center to the old library," Alderman Richard Hale said Monday at the Brodhead Council meeting.
The Senior Center is currently at 1103 W. 2nd Ave. just two blocks south.
"The seniors deserve something better. There's really no room there," Hale added.
According to Alderman John Bernstein, the senior center building is technically owned by a family, which gives the city free use of the site, if it uses it. Otherwise, the property ownership reverts to the family.
City attorney Mark Schroeder explained that the city holds title to the senior center property for permitted uses, and the family maintains reversionary status. The city is permitted to use the property for city use or charitable uses.
Other ideas for using the old library - a home, office space, a youth center, a "starving artist" center - have come to light, but offers to buy the property have come and gone, mostly because of the expense for remodeling.
Moving the senior center to the old library property would mean the nutrition center may also have to consider making the move, but the building would offer more space, not only for the seniors, but also for community events.
Mayor Doug Pinnow asked that the Building and Grounds Committee look into possibilities for the building, costs for remodeling, including rewiring and re-plumbing, and required inspections.
Brodhead Memorial Public Library moved to its new location, 1207 25th Street, near the high school, in March 2009.
"People are wondering why we can't move the Senior Center to the old library," Alderman Richard Hale said Monday at the Brodhead Council meeting.
The Senior Center is currently at 1103 W. 2nd Ave. just two blocks south.
"The seniors deserve something better. There's really no room there," Hale added.
According to Alderman John Bernstein, the senior center building is technically owned by a family, which gives the city free use of the site, if it uses it. Otherwise, the property ownership reverts to the family.
City attorney Mark Schroeder explained that the city holds title to the senior center property for permitted uses, and the family maintains reversionary status. The city is permitted to use the property for city use or charitable uses.
Other ideas for using the old library - a home, office space, a youth center, a "starving artist" center - have come to light, but offers to buy the property have come and gone, mostly because of the expense for remodeling.
Moving the senior center to the old library property would mean the nutrition center may also have to consider making the move, but the building would offer more space, not only for the seniors, but also for community events.
Mayor Doug Pinnow asked that the Building and Grounds Committee look into possibilities for the building, costs for remodeling, including rewiring and re-plumbing, and required inspections.
Brodhead Memorial Public Library moved to its new location, 1207 25th Street, near the high school, in March 2009.