Timeline: Senior Center, 35 Leroy, Town Hall Shuffle

Four months have passed since First Selectman Dave Campbell first proposed new plans for Darien's Senior Center of the future. The three-phase project involves the rearrangement of a number of town-owned buildings, including the former library property at 35 Leroy Ave., which, until Campbell came on the scene, was slated to become an affordable housing development.

Put simply, the initial shuffle proposal looks like this:

1. Move the Board of Education to the former library at 35 Leroy Ave.
2. Move the Senior Center to the Board of Education space at Town Hall
3. Knock down the Senior Center on Edgerton Street, and develop senior affordable housing

Since early December, a number of elected officials and study groups have analyzed the project's feasibility and proposed new recommendations where they saw fit.

Here's a recap of what's happened to date:

Jan 4

Campbell assembles the ten-member Facilities Study Task Force, appoints Selectman Jayme Stevenson as chair, and sets forth the group's one-month charge. Read more: Campbell's Commandos

Jan 13

At a Town Hall meeting, followed by a site tour, members discuss the Task Force goal, putting the emphasis on finding an appropriate space for the town's seniors. Read more: Campbell's Task Force Tours the Town

Jan 20

Executive Director of the Senior Center Beth Paris and Parks & Recreation Director Susan Swiatek join the Task Force to discuss the prospective needs of a multi-generational Senior Center of the future. Read more:

Jan 27

The Task Force votes on its first formal recommendation, agreeing that the Senior Center building is beyond repair and in no fit state for any long-term use. Read more:

Jan 28

A second task force, the 35 Leroy Study Group, as formed by the Representative Town Meeting's Planning Zoning & Housing Committee meets for the first time to discuss its charge. Stevenson attends to express initial frustration with the group's formation and her wish to collaborate. Read more: No Show and Tell for 35 Leroy Study Group

Feb 3

A fit-up study proves a renovation of the former library into office space feasible, and Betsy Hagerty Ross informs the Task Force that, by law, the Board of Education can stay put. Read more:

The Task Force drafts a list of criteria that will use to weigh the pros and cons of two scenarios: moving the senior center to Town Hall and moving the senior center to 35 Leroy. Read more: Task Force Talks Metrics

Feb 10

Campbell grants the Task Force a nine-day extension, and makes initial plans for a special, final-recommendation meeting. Those plans are later cancelled, and the Task Force opts instead to present its final report at the regular Board of Selectmen meeting on March 1. Read more: Task Force Finale; Task Force Nixes Wednesday Night Special

Feb 11

The potential for the group's final recommendation to affect the capital plan comes under scrutiny at the Board of Selectmen's final budget meeting. Read more: Board Considers Future Task Force Costs

Feb 15

A near $2.85 million allocation of funds to the Senior Center, as featured in the 2010-2016 Capital Expenditures Plan sparks debate among selectmen. Read more: Senior Center Funds Spur Fiery Debate

Feb 22

The Task Force meets for a final working session, where they vote on a final recommendation; the group agrees that the Senior Center building is beyond repair, but say both considered alternative locations for the program—the Town Hall and the former library at 35 Leroy Ave.—warrant further consideration. In a preamble, the Task Force urges the Board of Selectmen to resolve the disposition of 35 Leroy Ave. with regards to affordable housing, before initiating phase two. Read more:

Feb 25

Prompted by recommendation of the Task Force, Campbell announces plans to vote down longstanding affordable housing plans at 35 Leroy Ave. and proposes a second, senior affordable housing development for Edgerton Street. Read more: Campbell to Pull Plug on 35 Leroy, Propose New Affordable Housing Plans

March 1

At a Board of Selectmen meeting, the Task Force formally presents its final report; and in a three to two vote, Republicans cancel the replacement of the Option to Lease at 35 Leroy Ave. with a ground lease. Read more: Board Pulls Plug on 35 Leroy to Mixed Review

March 9

The 35 Leroy Study Group presents its final report to PZ&H. In a split vote, the subcommittee decides not to formally present the group's work, opting instead to shelve the report and re-label it a draft. Read more here: No Show and Tell for 35 Leroy Study Group

March 11

Campbell passes over his vision for senior affordable housing at Edgerton to a three-person group that he says will ultimately operate as a non-profit. Read more: New Affordable Housing Proposal, New Task Force

 March 23

Campbell and his fellow Republican selectmen vote up a near $24,000 appropriation of funds that will allow the town to move forward with an architectural study of those senior center options recommended by the Task Force. The Democrats are less approving. Read more: Board Approves $24K Study of Senior Center Shuffle

April 2

The Board of Finance tables a vote on the $24,000 study in the interest of meeting with Senior Center directors. Members discuss the scope of the study, suggesting it might be too broad. Read more: Board of Finance: Architect Shouldn't Study Senior Center at Leroy