Tasha Clark Amar urges Baker council to endorse EBRCOA millage, outlines Lotus Village senior-housing plan

Tasha Clark Amar told the Baker City Council she was seeking the mayor’s and council’s public endorsement for a renewal millage that will appear on the June 27 ballot and asked residents to use early voting June 12–20.

“I am Tasha Clark Amar. I’m the CEO of the East Baton Rouge Council on Aging,” Amar said, thanking the mayor for past support and outlining the council’s work serving seniors. She said the organization has expanded senior centers and provided meals and transportation across the parish.

Amar described a planned development called Lotus Village at the Lakes that would include senior housing, an intergenerational community center, a food pantry, recreational amenities and a fishing pond. She said the housing component is “shovel ready,” would have about 59 units, and sits on roughly nine acres near the intersection of Plank and Kent (near Pettit Road). “The timeline for construction at the Lotus Village is about 18 months,” Amar said.

On funding, Amar said the project had secured HUD support and capital outlay commitments: “We got about $3.1 million from HUD. We have $18 million in capital outlay,” and she said an additional roughly $5 million was in a lower-priority funding bucket that the project hoped to move this session. She described the units as energy‑efficient with fortified roofs and generators and said 10 units would be designated for grandparents raising grandchildren to meet HUD criteria.

Amar also highlighted EBRCOA programs that will be part of the development, including a technology training program for seniors called Take It Forward and weekend intergenerational programming (Dream Saturdays) that pairs retired teachers with youth for STEM and arts activities. She said clients will receive wraparound support for education and other services.

Council members asked several technical and locational questions during the public-comment exchange. Amar confirmed the project is planned for the parcel behind a small strip mall near the red light on Kent and Plank and said the organization will prioritize applicants who live in the Baker area. She provided an office phone for follow-up: (225) 923-8000.

Why it matters: Amar framed the request as a response to an unmet need for senior housing and services in East Baton Rouge Parish, noting long waiting lists and high demand for units when EBRCOA previously opened housing. The millage renewal would help sustain meal programs, transportation and capital investments that Amar said keep seniors engaged and independent.

The council did not take official action on the millage during the meeting; Amar’s remarks were made during the public-comment portion and the project and ballot question remain subject to voter approval and any further council or funding decisions.