City council OK design work for Senior Center move

City News April 24, 2026

The Albert Lea City Council voted April 13 to approve a design proposal for a new Senior Center within the Jim and Dude’s building at 1705 S.E. Broadway Ave., the former HealthReach building.

The design proposal from Wold Architects and Engineers of Minneapolis, which designed parts of the building for HealthReach in the past, will cost a maximum of $14,000. With two local business owners each donating $5,000 toward the work, the net cost to the city will be $4,000 or less.

The Recreation Department needs an architectural design to seek construction estimates for remodeling part of Jim and Dude’s into a Senior Center.

A community-based team conducted a holistic assessment of the Senior Center in 2025, using standards set by the National Council On Aging and National Institute of Senior Centers. The Senior Center meets all standards except for the facility, housed within the Skyline Plaza. The main issue is lack of accessibility for people with disabilities. The current facility also has recurring roof leaks and sewer issues plus the parking lot is in poor condition.

The Senior Center sought proposals for its location last year and received three:

1) The current location in Skyline Plaza, where the Senior Center has been located since 1998.

2) Albert Lea Healthcare Coalition in the former Herberger’s building.

3) Jim and Dude’s.

The Senior Center Board voted in December 2025 to recommend the council move the center to Jim and Dude’s due to the sound condition of the building and parking lot in addition to its accessibility, location, natural light features and other amenities.

After the design phase, the move would require council approval for construction and a long-term lease.