DeKalb BOC approves construction of senior center on Elam Road   

A new $7.8 million state-of-the-art senior center that will be constructed on Elam Road in Stone Mountain moved a step closer to reality after a 5-2 vote by the DeKalb County Board of Commissioners.

“This will be an asset that will be used and enjoyed by the citizens of DeKalb County maybe for the next 25 to 30 years,” said DeKalb Commissioner Steve Bradshaw, who represents District 4, and pushed for the new senior center.

The proposed senior center will be located on a 2.7-acre, county-owned parcel at 4875 Elam Road, Stone Mountain. The location was chosen following a feasibility study, county officials said. Developers plan to work on design and engineering January through May and begin construction in June. The project is expected to be completed in December 2019.   

“Commissioner Bradshaw is to be commended for his vision and efforts to bring this new center to reality,” DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said. “The programming and amenities of this proposed center will allow the seniors of District 4 to enjoy companionship, organized physical activity and many other benefits of having a senior center in their community.” 

The energy-efficient and sustainable 21,000-square-foot facility will feature an indoor swimming pool, approximately 100 parking spaces, a covered main entrance drop-off area, service entrance and pedestrian plaza. 

“This new senior center, with the added amenity of a swimming pool, is long overdue in District 4,” Bradshaw said. “Our senior citizens deserve a wonderful new facility in which to meet, greet and recreate. I am gratified that we got to move this process forward.” 

In the coming months, community meetings will be scheduled so that constituents can offer their ideas about the senior center. Meeting dates will be published in Commissioner Bradshaw’s District 4 newsletters. To sign up for updates, email Robin Flieg at rlflieg@dekalbcountyga.gov.