Willow Glen Resident

News

Community centers get reprieve, will remain open for another year

By Monica Heger

Community centers on the facility reuse list received a new lease on life.

The San Jose City Council voted unanimously to keep all the centers on the reuse list operating for another year, following recommendations by the parks, recreation and neighborhood services department. The council allotted approximately $600,000 toward operating costs, plus additional funding for building maintenance and utility costs, bringing the total cost of the plan to just under $1 million. It also directed the city to continue its public outreach in collecting further discussion on potential uses.

"I look forward to working with staff and the council," said Patricia Gardner, executive director of the Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits. "It seems like we've been following this process for a long time. Let's get it right."

Gardner cautioned the council to keep an open mind about the process and to continue soliciting ideas from community members and nonprofits.

"This isn't magic. It's going to take a lot of time and work," she said. "I'm not sure it's a 'one size fits all' plan."

The decision at the June 6 council meeting came after months of outreach and searching for nonprofit operators. The process thus far has been unsuccessful, and at the May 16 city council meeting, nonprofit representatives cited building maintenance and utility costs as a major hindrance in the reuse plan.

Instead of giving up on the plan, the council will keep the centers open for another year. Out of the total cost, $100,000 will be allotted for building maintenance and utility costs for any nonprofit that takes over a center on a school site.

Staff will return to the council in November with their findings and present a revised process by early 2007. If all goes well, they hope to have new service providers by 2008.