Recent grants will help Harlem expand services

The city of Harlem recently earned two grants to help expand the city's services.

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A $500,000 federal grant will help build a senior center, while a $100,000 state grant will extend sewer lines.

The new senior center, funded by a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development grant, will be built in the Harlem City Park, City Manager Jean Dove said.

The city has provided meals for seniors at the Harlem Woman's Club since July, Dove said.

"We were approved to serve 25," she said. "Now, we're doing 35 with a waiting list."

Dove said the meals will be served at the new senior center along with programs from the Area Agency on Aging and the American Association of Retired Persons.

"The seniors that are attending the congregate meals are excited about getting a senior center and programs for them," Dove said.

"The design of the building is going to be similar to the Miss Mary E. Sanders Community Center and Head Start/Family Connections Center," a new facility next to the site of the senior center, Dove said.

The city is required to provide at least $100,000 in matching funds or in-kind services, Dove said.

Plans are being designed by architect Ben Carter, Dove said. No construction timeline has been set, but the city will hold the first public hearing for the grant at 10 a.m. Sept. 30 at City Hall.

City officials also were informed last week that the city was awarded $100,000 in grant funds from the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority.

The funding will be used to extend sewer lines down Planer Mill Road, Dove said.