Supervisors hear 14-month delay at Richmond Senior Center; contractor says 3–4 months to finish

Supervisor Connie Chan convened the Budget and Finance Committee on Jan. 31 to press for a clear timeline after more than a year of interrupted service at the Richmond Senior Center, which closed parts of its Third Floor for lead and asbestos remediation in late 2022.

The Department of Disability and Aging Services (DAS) told the committee that services at the Richmond site have suffered measurable drops while operating space has been constrained. "Since July first of 2023, this fiscal year, over 15,000 meals have been served at the Richmond Senior Center," DAS program director Mike Zogg told supervisors, and he said the center has recorded more than 1,200 assistance transactions across roughly 500 people. Zogg said DAS began more intensive involvement in September 2023 and that construction activity has been intermittent.

The Department of Building Inspection (DBI) said it issued a notice of violation in April 2023 after work began without the required permits. Acting Deputy Director Matthew Green said Acme Builders filed for a permit May 15 and it was issued in July 2023, but inspections were delayed because the contractor was not ready. "The electrical inspections cover-up approval was just received in November of this year," Green said, while plumbing corrections remain outstanding.

Richmond Senior Center director Kaleida Walling described operational impacts for members and staff and a breakdown in communication with the landlord, the Felton Institute. She said the center expected a brief closure in late 2022 but encountered repeated schedule changes and missing or broken fixtures. "It's been a really difficult, 14 months for us," Walling said, describing trash and debris handling and a grievance filed with the landlord's board after repeated attempts to secure timely answers.

Felton Institute leadership, represented by Al Gilbert, acknowledged an aged building and said Felton has prioritized the senior center while also noting the difficulty of scoping work until walls are opened and moisture or window damage is assessed. Gilbert said Felton has not collected rent for the last 10–11 months while funding repairs and has hired a new project manager and an external contract manager to assess broader needs.

Acme Builders owner Anthony Chu gave the most specific near-term timeline: he told supervisors he needs "probably, depending on the inspections I have left, 3 to 4 months from this point," and said rough plumbing inspections and the final fire department sign-off remain before walls can be closed and the final work completed.

Multiple seniors and community partners spoke during public comment about lost meals, social connection and program disruptions. Kevin Casey, a member of the Richmond Senior Center, said: "I can't believe it is now more than a year later and we don't have our center back."

Chair Chan summarized the competing needs—repair work versus uninterrupted senior services—and pressed for clearer commitments. She asked the contractor to provide weekly written construction updates to Felton, Richmond Senior Center, DAS and her office beginning in February. The committee voted to continue the hearing to the call of the chair to allow follow-up and monitoring; the motion passed on a roll call vote.

Next steps: Acme has remaining inspections to schedule and City agencies will monitor permit closure; the committee requested weekly written progress reports and reserved the option to reconvene the hearing if milestones are not met.