The North Royalton City Council adopted legislation that rejects the bids for the Senior Center project, which were opened earlier this month. According to Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz, all bids received for the project exceed the 20% allotment for the project and had to be tossed out, according to state law. Three bids were received.
Last October 3, representatives from Makovich and Pusti Architects gave a preliminary presentation to City Council regarding the potential of the upcoming Senior Center and where they are in the design process. Earlier last year, the City hired the Berea architectural firm for the Senior Center Project in the hopes of transforming a portion of the former Royal View Elementary School at 13220 Ridge Road into a City Senior Center. In 2021, Royal View, along with the former Valley Vista and Albion elementary schools were replaced with the opening of North Royalton Elementary School on State Road.
Both, the City and School District have secured an agreement to make the transformation. The agreement in the ordinance would be in effect for twenty-five years. At that point, in 2049, the agreement would renew every year until either the City, or School District chooses to end it. The agreement would have the City pay $1 per year for the interior space and about 2,000 square feet of outdoor space. The City would be responsible for maintenance and cleaning of their portion, as well as for their portion of the cost of utilities, such as sewer, water and electricity.
The preliminary design showed the main entrance to the building, with a patio off to the east side, with the thought of providing an inviting place for seniors. The design showed thickened columns and wood and lights on the underside of the portico, as well as a more robust drainage system, in order to provide a more secure and safe entry.
A proposed, preliminary schematic was also presented on how the rooms would be divided. The schematic showed a little café off the main entrance, unisex rest rooms, a multi-purpose room, which was once the gymnasium, kitchen, craft/game rooms and a reconfiguration of the existing offices. The interior design aspect is yet to be completed. Mayor Antoskiewicz pointed out that at that time, “just remember, things can change from what you see.”
Currently, area senior citizens meet at the Deaconess Center, on Ridge Road. Antoskiewicz explained that the City basically has senior programming there. “We were filling the requirements for Deaconess to stay open. They have to provide programs for the people that live there.” He said that the City “will have to give them notice later this year and it will be their responsibility to take over that.”
At that time, Antoskieiwicz said he was looking at about $490,000 for the complete project, which accounts for about 9,000 square feet of the over-48,000 square foot facility. The money will be coming from the general fund. At this time, there are no grants for this project, according to North Royalton Community Development Director, Tom Jordan.
Antoskiewicz said that he is setting up meeting with the architects, engineering and the City’s legal department to review options going forward. “We’re going to sit down and look at all the options to see exactly where we’re at.”

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer