MOUNT VERNON — Recently, the Knox County Commissioners unveiled the proposed site plan for a new senior citizens center on Upper Gilchrist Road.

The 22,700-square-foot building, which would be built if voters approve a 0.21-mill bond issue on the May ballot, would be constructed on 10 acres of county land. The site would also feature parking lots for approximately 280 vehicles and room behind the building for future expansion.

Knox County Commissioner Allen Stockberger said the three commissioners feel the Upper Gilchrist Road location is the best place for a new center, and are sticking with that location so residents will know exactly what they are voting for when they see the bond issue in May.

“The ballot language has been formulated and we have an agreement that, for this bond issue, we will stick with this location,” he said. “We want the voters to have the assurance that if they vote yes, this is where the building will go. If they don’t like this location then they can vote no and we will come back with something else.”

Also on the May ballot is a 0.79-mill operating levy for senior services. Stockberger explained that the operating levy is not used for new construction, it is used to fund existing senior services in Knox County. He urged residents to support it, even if they are opposed to a new senior citizens center.

“We’d like the voters to remember that even if they aren’t supportive of a building program, it would be nice if they would still approve the 0.79 operating levy,” he said. “That way the programs that are already in place can continue.”

The proposed building would share an entrance road with the Knox County Jail complex. The commissioners explained it makes sense to use an existing road to provide access to the new building; however, some type of emergency lane will likely be put in, to provide a way for emergency vehicles to get through if the road is congested by vehicles from the new complex.

“It doesn’t make any sense to put in another curb cut; it makes sense to use the existing road,” said Stockberger. “But we’ll need to make some accommodation for [emergency vehicles.]”

He added that at this point, the trees shown on the plan are for artistic effect. They do not necessarily represent how the building’s landscaping would look if voters approve its construction.

The 0.21-mill bond issue that would fund the new building would remain in effect for 25 years and would generate the $3.5 million needed to undertake the project.

The 0.79-mill operating levy would be a separate, five-year levy. With new tax values factored in, the 0.79-mill operating levy would generate approximately $866,000 yearly.