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Commission awards $5.5M renovation contract for Mahaney Senior Center; staff outlines service continuity
Summary
The Commission approved a contract to renovate the Mahaney (Mahaney?) Senior Community Center (restrooms, ADA, generator, energy upgrades). Staff described an expedited transition plan: programs and meals relocated temporarily to the public library, Salter Center and other community partners; transportation dispatch to operate from the library and buses to be staged at DPS yard.
The City of Royal Oak approved the award of a construction contract June 23 to renovate the Mahaney Senior Community Center in a project that staff said totals roughly $5.5 million and includes ADA restroom upgrades, new lighting, flooring, a generator sized to operate the center as a cooling station, and mechanical/electrical work.
City staff said the project has a compressed schedule to be ready for fall preschool in September. Because a contractor indicated they could begin work with short notice, staff moved quickly to finalize award and implement a continuity plan for senior services. Nikki (senior services staff) told commissioners the city had partnered with the Royal Oak Public Library to relocate staff and to continue key services, including the Roses home‑chore program, aging counseling and transportation dispatch. The city also arranged evening and weekend program space with the Metro Detroit Youth Club/Salter Center and identified nearby congregate meal options in neighboring communities if needed.
"Our transportation programs will also continue," Nikki said, noting buses will be staged at the DPS yard, and the senior line phone number will remain the same during the transition so clients calling for rides or assistance receive the same contact. Staff described targeted outreach: they began calling registrants and instructors after learning the contractor could start quickly and said staff would freeze monthly fitness fees while the center is closed.
Commissioners acknowledged the unusually quick turnaround from bid award to start and praised staff work moving services and notifying vulnerable participants. Several commissioners pressed for clearer signage and broader outreach in the first days of closure; staff said they would post signs and continue phone contact and in‑person support at the center during the packing phase.
The Commission approved the contract by voice vote. Staff will manage relocations, communications and scheduling to reduce program disruption during construction.
