Douglas County Senior Services to remain in downtown fire station

photo by: Mike Yoder

Located at 746 Kentucky, Fire Station No. 1 was constructed in 1950.

Douglas County Senior Services will remain in its longtime home at 746 Kentucky St.

The possibility of DCSS moving to another location from its home of more than 30 years was raised in May because of the planned remodeling of Fire Station No. 1. DCSS Executive Director Marvel Williamson said after discussions among her, Lawrence City Manager Tom Markus, Douglas County Administrator Craig Weinaug and Lawrence-Douglas County Fire Medical Chief Mark Bradford it was decided DCSS would continue to occupy its offices and meeting space in the eastern half of the building.

“We’ll basically stay in the same place,” Williamson said. “There will be a little give and take. The fire department will be giving up some space and taking some of ours, and we will be giving up space and taking some of theirs.”

Williamson said the agency was pleased to stay at the site.

“We’ve always thought this is a wonderful location,” she said. “It serves our seniors very well. There’s close, convenient parking and a nearby bus stop. It’s right by the library and downtown.”

Fire Station No. 1 was built in the middle of the last century and remains one of the fire department’s busiest stations. Renovations are needed to make the building ADA compliant.