Currently located at 4024 Richlands Highway, the building is shared with Soil and Water Conservation and the NC Cooperative Extension Service. The aging structure has been problematic and expensive to maintain and operate.
Under consideration for purchase is an existing building and land at 1940 Gum Branch Road. It is the former home to the River of Life Church and will facilitate much of the operations of the Senior Services. The location would be more centrally located for Onslow County’s senior population. Additionally, the property is on public transportation which many seniors regularly use.
The Onslow County Board of Commissioners has sought solutions for the Senior Services programs that would provide more service to this population. With the COVID stimulus funding being provided by the federal government, staff presented options to the Board that could leverage this funding to answer the need for a different location. The Board considered this and other options for funding with the federal money during a meeting Monday, August 23, 2021.
A purchase agreement has been signed for $2.95 million for the property subject to the County’s due diligence investigation and a vote of approval from the Onslow Board of Commissioners set for the September 20, 2021 meeting. Comments about the purchase can be made at the Public Comment time at the 11AM, September 8, 2021 meeting or at the 6PM, September 20, 2021 meeting. Both meetings of the Onslow County Board of Commissioners are set for the Onslow County Government Center at 234 NW Corridor Boulevard, Jacksonville.
The current building is the former site of a garment sewing operation and was not designed to accommodate programs such as Senior Services, nor offices. While the new building will likely house all the Senior Services, another option will be sought for the NC Cooperative Extension Service and Soil and Water Conservation Service.