Closed Rite Aid building in Carpinteria could be a new community and senior center
CARPINTERIA, Calif. - The closed Rite Aid building on the 700 block of Linden Avenue in downtown Carpinteria is on the market and many residents see an opportunity to turn it into a new center for seniors and community activities.
The only hang-up is the $5-million price tag.
The local family that owns it, the Welty Family Trust, has said it wants the city to buy it and it will assist with some of the financial paperwork.
The Carpinteria City Council met Monday night to discuss the site, the possibly funding sources, and the long-range plans.
The city does not have the money in its already tight budget. It did say over $800,000 in a federal grant is available through the efforts of Congressman Salud Carbajal.
The staff is also looking at philanthropists who would be interested in assisting the city.
The site is located next to the Lynda Fairly Carpinteria Arts Center.
The side-by-side building line up in downtown has been an encouraging concept for many community leaders for both inside and outside activities.
Arts Center Executive Director Kristina Calkins told the council "can you imagine if the Rite Aid building became a community center the big indoor facility paired with our outdoor facility, what an asset for our community."
Councilmember Wade Nomura reminded the council of many efforts in the city that were accomplished by fundraising and the will of the people when the odds were not favorable due to costs and other factors. He was instrumental in helping to find funding and accomplish the Tomal Park on Linden Ave. Recently the city also built an impressive skate park next to City Hall after years of coordinated fundraising involving many sectors of the community.
The council wants a full community outreach to see if there would be any interest in both a philanthropic and community fundraising efforts to purchase and operate the Rite Aid building.
The council is expected to get an updated report later this year.
