Hammond plans to expand center
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HAMMOND — Citing a need for public meeting space for community groups, the city of Hammond plans to expand the Michael J. Kenney Community Center next to Zemurray Park.
The expansion announcement came after the city received approval for an $800,000 community development block grant to add to $600,000 in city funds set aside, Mayor Mayson Foster said.
Non-profit organizations have told the city that their members need an accessible, affordable place to meet, so the city has been looking for ways to expand the Kenney Center, Foster said.
“There are no regular meeting places around town except in restaurants,” Foster said. “Or there are others that don’t have flexible hours.”
The addition also would be beneficial during hurricane season because the Kenney Center is the site that the New Orleans Police Department has under contract with the city of Hammond to use as a backup base of operations if needed.
After Hurricane Katrina, NOPD officials approached the city for a site to use and have signed a contract each year since, Foster said.
“Having a New Orleans police presence gives us additional officers around town,” Foster said. “Even though they are not acting officials under the auspices of Hammond, they are still being seen around town.”
Built in 2001, the 13,170-square-foot Kenney Center offers a gymnasium, offices, concession stands and restroom facilities, Foster and Recreation Director Joey Keener said.
The city plans to add a large multi-purpose room, which could be converted into recreational space for basketball and other activities, Foster said. There also would be two or three meeting rooms, he said.
At this time, city officials don’t know how large the additions will be, Foster said. The city is working on a bid proposal for an architect to design the addition, Foster said. Essentially, the addition would be as large as the available funding allows, he said.
Foster said he hopes the project can be bid out to contractors sometime in October.
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