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Quincy Senior Center pleads for county help to replace failing elevator housing 57 seniors
Summary
Quincy Senior Citizens Council leaders told the Adams County Board the center's only elevator is failing and that a volunteer campaign needs county support to meet a $1.3 million replacement goal before an April 2027 grant deadline.
Sherry Sparks, a board member and co-chair of the Quincy Senior Citizens Council elevator campaign, told the Adams County Board on May 12 that the center's single Otis hydraulic elevator, installed in 2001, is leaking oil and has obsolete controller parts and may require extended downtime for repairs.
Sparks said the six-story Quincy Senior Center houses 57 older adults on its upper floors, many with disabilities and several veterans. She warned that "state law says that if that elevator goes down for more than 72 hours, we are required to start finding new homes for all of those people," and said the local housing shortage would make relocation difficult.
Sparks said the volunteer-run campaign set a fundraising target of $1.3 million and described recent gifts and community fundraising activities. "We are now up to the point of $700,000 that we need," she said, and added that a major pledged grant expires in April 2027, creating a time-sensitive deadline.
Board members responded sympathetically and directed staff to work with the county clerk to assemble materials for the executive committee to consider a possible county contribution or matching funds. Chair said he expected the issue to be taken up at the executive committee and for the board to consider any funding request as early as the June cycle.
Sparks and other campaign co-chairs brought technical specifics and fundraising details: the elevator is a 2,500-pound-capacity Otis 211 hydraulic passenger unit; it is reportedly leaking seals and piston wear is causing friction that could precipitate a lengthy shutdown if major repairs are required. Sparks said Hollister Whitney had provided a contribution but that some replacement parts would cost about $75,000 beyond that donation.
The board did not vote on funding during the May 12 meeting. Members asked the clerk and campaign representatives to prepare a formal request for executive committee review and possible placement on the June agenda.
