Springfield Officials and Residents Debate Future of Sarah Bailey, Chisholm Center

Springfield officials are considering the future of two municipal properties and a number of township seniors are crying foul.

Members of the Springfield Township’s Recreation Committee have recommended selling the and have the take its current functions. In addition to hosting scouting groups and other meetings and events, the Sarah Bailey Center currently serves as a meeting center and activity center for Springfield senior Citizens. While officials presented the possibilities Chisholm holds for seniors—and some agreed—several seniors said they were comfortable at Sarah Bailey and questioned the need for the proposed change.

The Chisholm Center has been vacant since the .  With the absence of the YMCA, which paid $12,000 monthly rent to the town while tenants of the building, the building’s future has been uncertain. It continues to host a number of activities and several potential tenants have been considered. But a plan for the town to take over the entire facility as a recreation center has gained momentum in recent months.

Committee member David Amlen said that of the two buildings, Chisholm required less extensive repairs, as the only immediate need was the building’s lift.

“The good news for both buildings is that the roofs are in good shape,” Amlen said. “On the downside, Sarah Bailey has serious heating issues.”

Amlen noted that Sarah Bailey’s first floor offered a single, large open space and two smaller, less-used rooms on the second floor. By contrast, Chisholm has multiple, spacious rooms on its ground floor. Recreation Director Michael Tennero said Chisholm could house facilities such as a senior fitness room and still have large rooms free for activities.

“Sarah Bailey has been there for a long time,” Committee member Richard Huber said. “A lot of people like Sarah Bailey. I like Sarah Bailey. But Chisholm can offer us so much more.”

The committee members and Tennero emphasized that the plans were not finalized, and that their ideas were only recommendations.

Speaking on behalf of a group of seniors, Springfield Roseanne Citro said they had grown attached to the Sarah Bailey Center and were worries about the consequences of moving to Chisholm.

“We love Sarah Bailey,” she said to the applause of many in the audience at the afternoon town hall meeting. She recounted how her fellow seniors pitched in to clean up the facility and praised it for its hominess. She added that the parking at Chisholm was a potential problem, and that the building was at a dangerous intersection. She also questioned the wisdom of selling Sarah Bailey.

“You would get more for selling Chisholm than Sarah Bailey,” Citro said.

Natalie Albright echoed Citro’s concerns and said that the wishes of seniors were not being given fair consideration.

“What good is it if our seniors are not going to be happy there,” Albright asked.

Springfield Mayor Ziad Shehady emphasized that they were still exploring options for both buildings.

“Are we going to do this next month,” Shehady said. “No.”

Shehady said that other Springfield seniors had expressed dissatisfaction with the facilities at Sarah Bailey and noted that many in town did not know about the building, as it is tucked towards the end of a cul de sac off of Morris Ave. He also said that while the Chisholm center was a more attractive property for a prospective renter, town had to consider its location and the potential impact tenants could have on the surrounding residential neighborhood.

“Renting the Chisholm Center would bring in money, but it might negatively impact the quality of life,” Shehady said.

Lorraine Seidel and former Springfield Mayor Sy Mullman spoke in favor of moving the senior activities to Chisholm.

“You have a building where everything can be accomplished,” Mullman said.

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