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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11-Planning - Clk OF SAN BERNARD'-40 - REQUUT FOR COUNCIL Ac.AON From: Frank A. Schuma Planning Director Planning Subject: Construction of a 5400 square foot Senior Citizen Multi-Service Center in Perris Hill Park. Dept: Date: September 5, 1985 for September 23, Mayor and Common Council Synopsis of Previous Council action: -none- Recommen<:led motion: To adopt the Negative Declaration for the construction of a 5400 square foot multi-service Senior Citizen Center. The site is located in Perris Hill Park, south of Highland Avenue and west of Service Drive. Access is provided via Service Drive and adequate on-site parking currently exists (approximately 200 spaces). ~. Signature - FRANK A. SCHUMA Contact person: Frank A. Schuma Phone: (714) 1R1-S0'i7 Supporting data attached: Proiect Description and Ana1ysi s Ward: Sp..c.onc1 FUNDING REQUIREMENTS: Amount: Source: Finance: Council Notes: 75-0262 Agenda Item No. J II, . - L '......., '"*' PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND ANALYSIS SENIOR CITIZEN MULTI-SERVICE CENTER In December 1977,.the City of San Bernardino opened a Senior Citizen Service Center at 620 W. 5th Street which is considered downtown San Bernardino. The purpose of the center is to help meet the social, recreational and nutritional heeds of senior citizens. The downtown center provides a multitude of services including, but not limited to, senior nutrition, health checks, phone alert league, RSVP, SCP, government commodities distribution, educational classes, tax assistance, consumer assistance, information and referral as well as recreation and a variety of cultural and recreational trips. It can truly be described as a beehive of safe and secure senior activities and services. However, the center has reached its maximum capability due to space limitations; and at the same time the senior population is increasing along with the need for more programs. As a solution to the above mentioned problem, we hope to open a senior center at Perris Hill Park in the northern end of San Bernardino, California. There is a significant senior population within a two-mile radius of Perris Hill Park who are in need of service. There are 15 census tracts either totally or partially included in the two mile radius of Perris Hill Park. Of these, 6 are totally within the radius. and each has an elderly population in excess of 15%. In other words, there are 7,995 elderly within the service area radius. According to the 1980 census there are 19,240 persons 60 yrs of age or older within the City of San Bernardino. 4,436 of those seniors are clustered around the downtown senior center. Faced with the need of serving more seniors, it appears that the construction of another senior center in an area that is highly populated with seniors and easily accessible to them, is the most cost effective approach to the delivery of comprehensive social services for seniors in the City of San Bernardino. 2. Recently California State University San Bernardino completed a social services needs assessment at the request of the city. One of the needs consistent- ly identified was senior services. It is clear from this study that we need to ex- pand the services so that we can reach more senior citizens within the City of San Bernardino. In addition, the mayor's advisory council for senior affairs, has been disc~ssing the problem of overcrowding at the current center and the need to reach seniors throughout the city. They have expressed their 100% support of the senior citizens center, servicing the large pocket in the northern area. 3. Geographic area to be served- The area surrounding Perris Hill Park is predominantly an urban area with portions scattered throughout that could be considered rural. For example, just several blocks southwest of the proposed site, there are 5 blocks of unincorporated streets which have rural characteristics, such as absence of curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and large deep lots, many of them developed only on a minimal basis. There are several of these somewhat rural pockets within the Southwest section of the service radius. However, basically, the service area should be considered urban in that northeast of the proposed site, and immediately to the north of it is highly developed commercial and residential area with all the amenities of urban life. 4. More than half of the census tracts within the 2 miles radius have an elderly population in excess of 15%. And, more than one half of the persons in census tracts with the 15%.elderly population live below the median City income. The majority of these elderly live on limited fixed income levels. The census tract with 15% or more elderly and whose median income is below the city's median are all located within one mile of Perris Hill Park. Three of the 8 tracts with the 15% or more elderly have a high percentage of minorities. That composition - - - (.... Project page 2 ,.." V Description and Analysls ","",/ is very similar to the overall population of the City. In addition, they are all within the 1.5 miles of Perris Hill Park. A special outreach program will be developed in order to reach those seniors particularly in the census tract in excess of 15% elderly. This will enable us to reach the minority, and the low income simultaneously. On the other hand, there is an indication for a need for a program directed toward avoidance of institutionalization. The City of San Benrardino currently runs a senior companion program directed towards those seniors who need companion- ship to avoid institutionalization. A large number of the clients served in that program reside within the service radius area, as does a sizable number of the senior companions themselves who must meet low income guidelines. In addition, based on the large percentage of telephone calls from family members interested in some type or respite care for their elderly family, it is safe to assume that there is a substantial need for these kinds of services in the City of San Bernardino. We plan to develop a social day care program within the proposed senior center in order to meet this need. - ~roject page 3 ,r' '~. Description and Analysi~ ,,-..-"" II USE OF THE SENIOR CENTER FACILITY 1. Location The proposed center will be located at Perris Hill Park at 900 E. Highland Avenue, San Bernardino. Perris Hill Park is the largest developed park within the City. The site of the proposed center is planned for an area in the park which provides some seclusion while at the same time easy access to other amenities. For example, Roosevelt Bowl, which is a lit outdoor amphitheater, with stage, dressing rooms, restrooms, concession stands and seating for 1,200 is on the site and in close distance. The bowl already serves as a site for an annual senior citizen musical program entitled "Seniors Nite". In addition, there is the Coddington branch library, a branch of the City library which will provide opportunity for reading and audio-visual material to be available to seniors. There are multiple group picnic facilities, as well as family picnic areas, horseshoe pits, weekend artists displays, and exercise court, tennis courts, paved and unpaved strolling areas and walkways, a ceramic studio with a kiln, a large swimming pool, an open air stadium of major league proportions which seats 1,200. There are large benches for sitting. There is an uptown YMCA contiguous with the west end of the park. This facility already provides a senior citizen travel club and exercise program for seniors. There is an Elks Club nearby. Of particular significance, is that there is a fire station, including paramedics within! mile of the proposed site. The San Bernardino County Medical Center is within! mile. There are drug stores, and large shopping centers within 2 blocks as well as restaurants and other businesses immediately adjacent to the proposed site. The park is served by the public bus system, Dial-A-Ride and Dial-A-Lift. It has slanted curbs, ramps entrances and is totally accessible to the handicapped. The park entrance is controlled by traffic lights, is well lit, and has a well marked street. On site parking is available for 200 plus cars. In addition, space will be available for bus parking for trips. The entrance to the park has been so structured as to provide for a generally safe existence within the park and the neighborhood is considered to be a relatively safe area. II. The proposed multi-service senior center will meet all architectural barrier codes as well as local building codes. III. PROPOSED SENIOR CENTER PROGRAM Based upon our experience, at our downtown senior center, and the large senior population within the 2 mile radius it is estimated that the proposed multi-service center will serve a minimum of 200 persons per day. The center will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, on a regular basis with availability for evening and weekend programming depending on the desire of the participants. All senior citizens will have access to the facility. A volunteer outr&ach program will be developed to encourage the participation of all seniors. In addition, an ongoing media campaign will be developed to encourage all seniors to participate and be kept aware of the services on an on-going basis. Special attention will be given to the various media needs of senior citizens. As a municipal facility, use for sectarian instruction for religious wor~hip will not be allowed. . c '-' Project Description and Analysis page 4 "-",,/ PROPOSED SENIOR CENTER PROGRAM (continued) Programs and Services which will be provided are: Senior nutrition and nutrition education Social Day Care' Information and Referral Health Checks Recreation and Arts & Crafts Consumer Education Recreational and Cultural Trips Senior exercise Tax and rental assistance PAL- Phone Alert League Senior Companion Program Retired Senior Volunteer Program Programs and services will be developed or revised based upon the desire of the participants. The availability of the park amenities such as Roosevelt Bowl, the Library, etc., provides for a high degree of flexibility in meeting a variety of senior interests.