The Bainbridge Island City Council recently approved an $84,232 contract with Coates Design, Inc. for renovations to the Senior Center.

According to city documents, the project consists of a suite of repairs and maintenance upgrades, such as heat pump and roof replacement, along with security and electrical upgrades, and renovations to improve efficiency and the use of space for community programs.

The work will include retrofitting the east wing for a more “communal layout, reconfiguring the entryway, and expanding the thrift store.”

Two proposals were received. City staff, along with representatives from the Senior Center board of directors, interviewed both firms, and Coates Design was selected.

Public Works director Chris Wierzbicki said, “We’d like to get the design services wrapped up in the second or third quarter of this year so we can advertise for construction and build these renovations next year.”

Eleanor Weinel, a Senior Center board member, added: “We were particularly impressed in the interview process with the firm’s enthusiasm for doing renovation work. That’s rare these days…They present a strong process that involves the clients in working out the scheme, an aspect that we appreciate very much.”

The project also includes $50,000 in city funds and $50,000 in donated funds from the Senior Center for project design work. The balance of unspent city and Senior Center funds ($7,884 each) would be available for design-related contingency, or to support construction, documents say.