To Buy or Build

A plan being put forward by the East Hampton Town Board to possibly convert the Child Development Center of the Hamptons, a now-closed charter school, to a senior citizens center is interesting, but might not be as attractive as first thought.

At a recent meeting, the board reviewed a consultant’s report that found the Stephen Hand’s Path, East Hampton, building in good condition and suitable, with relatively modest changes and expense for upgrades, as a replacement for the town senior center on Springs-Fireplace Road. There would even be space available for other community uses, perhaps including the East Hampton Food Pantry. 

The wild card is the cost. Although the town owns the underlying site, the building is owned by the nonprofit agency that ran the school. Once the potential purchase price is known, it might no longer seem like much of a bargain.

Another issue is its location. According to the town’s Department of Human Services, visitors to the existing senior center like where it is, near the town’s population center. Expecting them to be as eager to travel nearly to Wainscott might be a stretch. The main roads that patrons would use to get to and from the new center — Montauk Highway and Route 114 — have considerable traffic problems at times, which should be a consideration.

Town officials are right to consider the C.D.C.H. site, but should proceed with caution. In the end, the better option might be to build anew on Springs-Fireplace Road.