Senate Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #1429 Ted Thomas Activity Center
Requester:	Sam Goldsmith		Organization:		City of Coconut Creek
Project Title:	Ted Thomas Activity Center		Date Submitted:		01/28/2000 9:51:42 AM
District Member:	Walter Campbell		Service Area:		County
Counties Affected:	Broward
Recipient:	City of Coconut Creek		Contact:		Scott Sundermeier
	4800 West Copans Road		Contact Phone:		(954) 973-6770
	Coconut Creek 33437
Project Description:
The Ted Thomas Activity Center is a 20 year old structure in Coconut Creek that primarily supports the senior community in the cities of Northern Broward County. The structure was initially built as a firehouse and over the years has been converted into the center that stands today. Its 5,500 square feet have been reshaped and remodeled over the years. Based on a significant increase in the city's population as a whole, and especially its senior population, since the center was originally built, this project seeks to raze the existing facility and to construct on the same site a 7,000 square foot facility, which will provide far better utilization of the building. The current 5,500 square foot building is only marginally used due to limited usable space and parking availability. The new 7,000 square foot facility would take advantage of all new floor space and is being repositioned and coupled with another project to greatily increase parking and accessibility.
Services Provided/Benefit to State:
When the existing facility was built, the City's population was only about 6,288, of which about half were seniors. Today, the population of the City is 40,000, of which about 33% are seniors. In addition, surrounding cities in Northern Broward which benefit from the city have also seen substantial senior population growth. The current population would be better served by this project based on: (1) increased space availability; (2) greater program offerings; and (3) adequate parking. The new facility would provide an almost 50% increase in usable space and program offerings. Parking would increase 100%. This program will provide a viable meeting place for the seniors of Northern Broward County to congregate and meet about issues that are important to them and to have a facility to hold workshops and hearings on those issues.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
This project will increase course offerings by 50% within one year. Senior attendance at programs should increase by 100% within one year to approximately 30,000 service units.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:				$800,000
Total cost of the project:		$1,600,000

Request has been made to fund:			Construction
Is there Local Government or Private match for this request?					Yes
	Cash Amount:	$400,000		In-Kind Amount:	$400,000
Was this project previously funded by the State?					No
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?					No
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?					No
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?					No
Is there a documented need for this project?					Yes
	Documentation:	An internal survey requesting additional services and a "Visions 2000" Program directive.
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?					Yes
	Hearing Body:	Multiple meetings of City Commission and Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
	Meeting Date:	11/17/1999