City of Edmonds to consider $2M loan for new senior center

EDMONDS, Wash. (AP) — A social services organization in Washington state has asked the city of Edmonds to help fund construction of a 26,000-square-foot (2,415-square-meter) senior center scheduled to open in October.

The Edmonds Waterfront Center has secured more than $14 million through fundraising, the Daily Herald reported Thursday. The project is estimated to cost about $16 million.

The formerly known South County Senior Center has about $4 million in state grants and appropriations, but can only access that money if fundraisers can show there is enough money to complete the project, officials said.

“In a way, it’s an insurance policy,” said Daniel Johnson, campaign director for the new building. “This allows us to continue that fundraising past construction, if it’s required. It is our intention to raise all the money by the time we cut the ribbon in the fall.”

The city would offer up to $2 million in a seven-year loan if the request is approved, city officials said. Loan payments would start Oct. 31.

The building is under a 40-year lease and the city has reserved the right to deduct time off the lease if any loan payments are missed.

The Edmonds City Council was scheduled to vote on the loan Tuesday, but postponed the vote until next week amid concerns over the coronavirus pandemic, Council President Adrienne Fraley-Monillas said.

The center is designed to meet the requirements for the LEED Gold standard, which include no fossil fuels on site and a solar energy design.