BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD—Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski on Friday announced over $12 million for major senior center projects across Baltimore County, including an expansion of the existing Woodlawn Senior Center and plans to build a new dedicated senior center in northern Baltimore County.

This funding will be included in Olszewski’s Fiscal Year 2022 capital budget, which will be presented to the Baltimore County Council on April 15, 2021.

“Our senior centers are vital community anchors for so many of Baltimore County’s older adults. As we continue our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, we want every senior in every community to have access to a high-quality, modern, and accessible senior center,” Olszewski said. “This investment will create more equitable opportunities for more of our county’s seniors and will help our neighbors stay active, stay connected, and age in place in the communities where they have lived and raised their families.”

“The Department is excited to see the County Executive’s commitment to the older adults we serve within our senior centers and their surrounding communities,” Laura D. Riley, the Director of the Baltimore County Department of Aging said. “These investments will allow us to better serve our growing memberships around the County and to be more equitable in the distribution of our resources.”

$4.5 million for Woodlawn Senior Center

Baltimore County will provide $4.6 million in state and county funding for a significant renovation and expansion of the existing Woodlawn Senior Center. Since its original construction in 2001, membership at the Woodlawn location has grown significantly, to nearly 600 members today, and the center’s existing space is no longer adequate.

The new project will include a 9,200 square foot addition and a renovation of the current 3,600 square foot site, which will add a fitness center, new multipurpose rooms, multiple classrooms, and handicap accessible restrooms.

Once complete, the project will nearly triple the size of the existing center.

Construction on the expanded Woodlawn Senior Center project is expected to begin in the summer of 2022.

$3 million for new Northern Baltimore County Senior Center

Baltimore County will provide $3 million towards potential land acquisition, planning, and design for a new, dedicated senior center to serve Northern Baltimore County residents.

Currently, Baltimore County’s Hereford Senior Center operates on the second floor of the Hereford Volunteer Fire Station and is open only during limited hours.

The County will use this funding to explore opportunities to create a new, dedicated senior center to more fully meet the needs of older adults in Northern Baltimore County.

Countywide Improvements

Additionally, in his FY22 budget request Olszewski will provide:

• $2.5 million for improvements at the Cockeysville Senior Center
• $500,000 for improvements at the Edgemere Senior Center
• $295,000 for improvements at the Parkville Senior Center
• $275,000 for improvements at the Fleming Senior Center
• $165,000 for improvements at the Pikesville Senior Center
• $150,00 for improvements at the Liberty Senior Center
• $130,000 for improvements at the Overlea Senior Center
• $75,000 for improvements at the Lansdowne Senior Center

For more information on Baltimore County’s 20 senior centers or further details on activities for older adults, visit the Department of Aging’s website or visit any of the twenty senior center Facebook pages.