Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority
Canton Senior Center
The mission statement of the Canton Senior Center includes as an objective that the center should contribute to the revitalization of Downtown Canton. The Stark MHA recently spent several million dollars to renovate Cherrie Turner Towers, a public housing senior citizen high-rise with 134 units, which is located at 700 McKinley Ave. NW, Canton. This building is located one block north of the Downtown Special Improvement District. Adjacent to Turner Towers are two buildings owned by the Knights of Columbus. The Knights of Columbus chapter organization still occupy one of the buildings. The other building has been vacant for approximately 15 years and has deteriorated. As supported by the demographic assessment, this was determined to be an excellent location for the new Senior Center.
The Stark MHA purchased both buildings and the adjacent property. A long-term lease is in place to permit the Knights of Columbus to continue to use a portion of the space for their meetings, thus keeping this activity in the Downtown area.
Stark MHA has an innovative and firm commitment to energy conservation, and has approached this project with that same philosophy. As the specifications were developed, they explored proven renewable energy designs through our partnerships with the U.S. Department of Energy, the State Office of Energy Efficiency, Oak Ridge National Labs, and others. This facility is equipped with solar panels that provide lighting and a 90 ton geothermal heating system. The existing sky-lights were updated in the building to lessen demand as well. All windows, insulation and plumbing focused on energy efficiency are of solid conservation design.
Other spaces were renovated to meet the needs of the major partners, Stark MHA, physical services provider and medical services provider. The fourth floor of building B was designed as office space for other agencies. The remaining space was designed to accommodate the various activities offered at the Senior Center.
Contact details for this case study can be provided upon request.