The Crestwood City Council voted unanimously Tuesday evening to allocate $2.8 million in municipal bonds for construction of a new community center on the former library annex site at Maple and Oak streets. The decision followed a three-hour public hearing attended by more than 150 residents.

Project Scope and Timeline

The 18,000-square-foot facility will feature a multipurpose gymnasium, four meeting rooms, a commercial-grade kitchen, and an outdoor plaza with seating for 80 people. Construction is scheduled to begin in March 2025 and reach completion by September 2026. The center will replace the aging recreation hall built in 1974, which city engineers have deemed structurally deficient. Council members cited rising demand for senior programs and youth after-school activities as primary drivers for the project. Annual operating costs are projected at $340,000, to be covered by user fees and existing recreation department budgets.

Public Works Director Maria Lopez presented updated cost estimates showing a 12 percent reduction from earlier figures due to competitive bidding on steel and concrete supplies. The bond issuance will be repaid over 20 years at an estimated interest rate of 3.8 percent. No property tax increase is required under the approved financing plan.

Community Benefits and Next Steps

Residents speaking during the hearing emphasized the need for indoor space during winter months and expanded programming for families. Councilor James Rivera noted that the center will host health clinics, job-training workshops, and cultural events previously limited by space constraints at existing venues. A 12-member citizen advisory committee will be appointed next month to guide design details and program priorities.

City staff will issue a request for proposals for architectural services within 30 days. Environmental reviews and soil testing are already underway. Officials expect the project to create approximately 85 temporary construction jobs and 12 permanent positions once the facility opens. The vote brings to a close two years of planning that began with a 2023 resident survey showing 78 percent support for a new community gathering place.