City Council

Subject: Public Comment – Support for Formal Appraisal of Senior Center Building Dear Honorable City Council Members, I am writing to express my strong support for the City of Sebastopol to conduct a formal appraisal of the building currently housing the Sebastopol Area Senior Center. I have been a board member for 3 years, and amazed at what a vital part of the community the Center has been since its inception in 1969. It is a hub for services, social interaction and offers free transportation to those no longer able to drive, as well as a café with nutritious offerings that offers an inviting environment for inter-generational socializing. The demand for services and attendance at classes has created lengthy waiting lists. So while our current building is a wonderful location, it is increasingly limited in its ability to meet the growing and evolving needs of our senior population. A formal appraisal is a logical and necessary step to explore the potential of leveraging the building’s value toward purchasing or developing a new space that better supports accessibility, programming, and long-term sustainability for your constituents. This move would not only benefit seniors by providing a safer, more functional facility, but it could also benefit the City by allowing for the strategic repurposing or sale of a valuable city asset. This is not a request for immediate action, but a thoughtful step forward, and an opportunity to assess options that could result in a win-win outcome for both the City and our older adult residents. I hope you will prioritize this appraisal as a show of support for the health, dignity, and inclusion of our senior community. Sincerely, Jill Ravitch, Board Vice President