Pittsburgh moves step closer to buying senior center building in West End

Pittsburgh City Council on Wednesday advanced a measure that would permit the city to buy a building currently housing the West End Healthy Active Living Center.

The building at 80 Wabash St. has been home to the senior center for over 20 years and would remain a senior center after the city purchased the property.

Over the past 21 years as the city operated a senior center there, they have had a $60,000 annual lease with property owner Smith & Bowen. If passed, the proposal would allow the city to purchase it for $344,000, plus acquisition costs.

Through lease payments, the center “will actually pay for itself,” City Council President Theresa Kail-Smith said when the measure was introduced.

The center serves hundreds of seniors, offering an array of weekly programs ranging from senior meals to exercise classes. During the pandemic, it served more than 12,600 meals to qualifying seniors.

The legislation was advanced Wednesday without further discussion. City Council could give the measure final approval as early as next week.