Senior Center From 1894 Faces Uncertain Future As Repair Costs Mount

The future of the Bristol Borough Area Active Adult Center is uncertain as officials question whether the historic Wood Street building is worth the mounting cost of repairs.

During last Monday’s council meeting, Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe and Mayor Frank Peranteau signaled that the deteriorating condition of the facility is concerning borough officials.

“The building is in dire need of repairs,” DiGuiseppe said.

The discussion came as the council approved a $75,000 casino impact grant from the Redevelopment Authority of Bucks County (RDA) intended for roof repairs.

Officials were worried whether the grant and additional borough funds would be enough to stabilize the aging structure.

The facility, a Queen Anne-style building dating back to 1894, faces a compounding list of maintenance needs, including a $45,000 chimney repair, a total roof replacement to address leaks, window repairs and exterior painting, and upgrades to the electrical and heating systems.

Peranteau raised worry over the borough contributing funds to address only a portions of the building’s issues.

DiGuiseppe, who also serves as the chairman of the RDA board, noted that the authority shares the concerns.

“The RDA doesn’t want to put money into a building either that can’t sustain itself,” he said.

While the council accepted the grant funding, DiGuiseppe stated that the borough is exploring all options.

When Councilmember Lorraine Cullen asked if the grant could be redirected to a different location should the center move, DiGuiseppe said the RDA would likely consider such a request.

The building was originally constructed for $21,000 to serve as the borough’s high school and district administration offices in 1894, according to the Pennsylvania Historic Resource Survey. It has functioned as a senior center for several decades.

Moving forward, DiGuiseppe pointed to the importance of involving the center in the decision-making process.

“We really need to sit down with the people over there and try to come up with a plan,” he said.