LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — The Meridian Township Board has announced its next steps following the failure of two proposals that would have allowed for the development of a new community and senior center.
Meridian Township residents voted on the two proposals, which included a construction bond and an operating millage, on August 5. Both would be rejected.
Meridian Twp. voters to decide on new community and senior center
The Meridian Township Board held a meeting on August 7 and shared four options that provide “varying odds” of retaining a $5 million grant from the State of Michigan, which must be used by September 30, 2026.
Four new Meridian Township proposals:
Option one: New construction
- Following the failure of the community and senior center, the township has limited its new construction proposal to focus only on the senior center
- The board reports that this construction project is still viable, but is increasingly constrained by time
- Option 1 from the May 8, 2025, township board packet, which is the current design on the Central Fire Station site, would be used, as restarting the design process is not possible due to time constraints
- The board has also reviewed the real estate market and reports that there are no existing buildings available that would be a viable option.
Option two: Okemos Public Schools partnership
- The board reports that they could pursue a new senior center facility as part of the Chippewa Middle School construction project
- While not currently in the facility design, the board would work with the school district to plan for a future phase of construction at the middle school, which would include the senior center
Option three: Partnership with another agency
- The board reports that since the current senior center will no longer be available starting in May 2028, a partnership with another agency would be another option, if an appropriate location is available
- Other agencies could include school districts and other municipalities
Option four: Reassessment and new strategy
- The board reports that, given the initial failure of the proposals, another option is to pause and reassess the senior center facility and program in full.
- This process could start later this year or early 2026
- This approach would provide additional time to develop available options
Additional information can be found on page 136 of the August 7 Township Board Meeting packet here.
The board has since directed staff to pursue option two and will seek to partner with local school districts as well as re-evaluate existing buildings that could serve the community’s needs…