Plan For Montclair Senior Center Derailed Due To Cost; Group Calls Decision 'Disappointing'

MONTCLAIR, NJ -- Plans for a highly anticipated senior center in Montclair have taken a detour.

On Monday, township manager Stephen Marks gave an update on the town's long-running plan to open a senior center for local residents.

Marks wrote:

"The township remains committed to establishing a senior center that meets the needs of our community. After a thorough review and due diligence process, we have decided not to move forward with the planned senior center at the Mills Building. The lease terms and investment needed for renovations ultimately did not represent the most cost-effective use of taxpayer money. Looking ahead, the township is pursuing alternative solutions that balance accessibility, flexibility, and long-term value. The mayor and council have approved a contract for an architecture firm to design a senior citizen health and wellness center within the municipal building at 205 Claremont Avenue. As part of this process, we will engage stakeholders through a competitive bidding process to ensure transparency and the best outcome for residents."

"We recognize how important this initiative is to Montclair’s older residents, who deserve a central space that is welcoming and accessible," Marks continued. "Township staff and elected officials will continue to keep the community informed as we pursue both interim and permanent options, and we thank our residents for their patience and advocacy as we work toward a solution that will serve Montclair for years to come."

SENIORS REACT

Local senior advocacy group Montclair Gateway to Aging in Place (mGAP) said the decision is a "deeply disappointing setback."

"The Mills Building had represented a long-overdue opportunity to provide Montclair’s older adults with a dedicated space for wellness, connection, education and support," the group wrote. "After months of planning, research, and dialogue with seniors and community partners, mGAP had been hopeful that the facility would finally bring Montclair in line with neighboring towns that already offer full-service senior centers."

"While we appreciate the town council’s pledge to find an interim location and pursue a long-term solution, the Mills Building offered a realistic and near-term opportunity,” mGAP president Ellie Bagli said.

"To be told that it is no longer on the table is discouraging for the hundreds of seniors who have waited patiently, spoken up publicly, and advocated for a safe, accessible, and permanent community space," Bagli added.

• See Related: 'Build A Senior Center,' Frustrated Montclair Residents Tell Council
• See Related: Montclair Council Votes On Long-Awaited Senior Center
• See Related: Plans For Montclair Senior Center Are Coming Together, Group Says

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