EHDA reluctant to let daycare business open in South Hills property
Published 9:34 am Wednesday, June 24, 2015
The Elizabethton Housing and Development Agency Board appeared reluctant to accept a sole business proposal submitted for its 210 South Hills Drive property.
There was some brief discussion about rejecting the proposal — for a daycare center — during the monthly meeting Tuesday.
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“We are reviewing our options,” EHDA Director Kelly Geagley said. “The proposal was for a daycare, and that’s what was there.”
A daycare center had not been successful in the past because child care is not as affordable for some residents as others, Geagley said.
Proposals were also sent out to target specific organizations, Geagley said, and more specifically, he said he would like to see some kind of nonprofit business model take over the space.
“There are 200 units here, but over in South Hills there are 100 units,” he said. “I would like to see something like the Boys & Girls Club or Coalition for Kids come into the building. We need something that is going to benefit more residents.”
Chairman Dale Shook pointed out that the public notice stated the board has the right to reject any and all proposals.
“We’ve been researching our procurement policy to see what it takes to reject a bid and then rebid,” Geagley said.
In order to get a better idea of what kind of business to target, Vice Chairman Larry Gobble inquired about the building’s attributes.
Geagley described the approximately 2,200-square-foot South Hills Drive building as having an entry hall and a big room to the left. There are also two offices and a kitchen in the back, he noted.
Generating ideas for the housing agency to implement a use for the building is also an option, Geagley said. For example, he said, the space could be used for tutoring.
“We also thought about contacting a laundromat,” Geagley said. “We just need something in there that is going to benefit our residents.”
The Elizabethton Housing and Development Board took time to welcome new team members Taylor Richardson and Elizabethton Police officer Matt Bailey at the monthly meeting Tuesday. Richardson is now the secretary and receptionist at the main office. Bailey was assigned to patrol housing grounds.
In addition to discussing the daycare proposal, a couple of new faces at the housing agency were welcomed.
Taylor Richardson has been chosen as the office’s new secretary and receptionist. Her first day was June 2.
“I think she is youthful and enthusiastic,” Geagley said. “She is very good with the public.”
When the city renewed the police services contract, officer Matt Bailey was selected to replace officer Kirk Carrier. Bailey’s first day was June 22.
In honor of a face EHDA staff members miss, the board approved the resolution to dedicate the office’s community room.
After a ceremony July 20, the room will be called the Vanessa McQueen Community Room.
McQueen, who was the resident service coordinator for 25 years, passed away last year after a battle with ovarian cancer, Geagley said.
“They gave her 6 months to live, but she actually lived for about another 6 years,” Geagley said. “She continued to work here on a limited schedule.”
The staff and board members wanted to make sure her name, attitude and memory lived on forever in the place she spent most of her time.
“All of our adult and child activities were coordinated by her and take place in the community room,” he said.
The board also approved to move the July 28 meeting from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
