Written by Tanya Terry, with featured photo by L.M. Land of press conference held at Cathedral of Faith Church
The City of Flint recently announced plans to take over daily operations of Hasselbring Senior Center on Flint’s north side.
The City has announced it will evict Hasselbring, which has been operated by a 501(c)(3) titled Hasselbring Senior Center, from the building on Jan. 5, 2025, because the Flint City Council has been unable to vote to extend the Center’s lease agreement.
A court-ordered mediator was recently assigned after the City’s Ethics and Accountability Board filed a complaint over the council’s inaction.
Meanwhile, some of Hasselbring’s staff, board members and members who have been utilizing the center have expressed that they feel the City taking over the daily operations of the center is not in the best interest of area seniors. These individuals have expressed this concern even though city officials have continued to stress the center will not close, the seniors will not be charged and services will be expanded.
New services to be added have been announced as a travel club, chorus line, water aerobics and a transgenerational support group, among other programs.
At a press conference held at Cathedral of Faith Church, City of Flint Chief of Staff Ed Taylor said that Hasselbring Senior Center hasn’t had an updated lease agreement since 2016.
Additionally, the City has received only $8 from Hasselbring Senior Center since 2016, according to Taylor. Taylor said that the City is not currently able to determine how much revenue is being collected through Hasselbring’s third-party rentals. Alleged alcohol use on the property during third-party rentals was also discussed at the press conference, in addition to allegations that money for rentals that were to take place in 2025 continued to be collected even after the City said the current service provider was being evicted.
Taylor referred to these expected renters as “victims of fraud..”
“We’re not eviting any seniors,” said Taylor, “All we’re doing is changing the service provider.”
During another recent press conference held at the center, Hasselbring Senior Center’s Executive Director Beverly Lewis stated that Hasselbring the nonprofit has retained an attorney “to address and resolve all of the false allegations” made against it by the City of Flint. She called city officials “political typhoons” at the press conference and said if Councilman Eric Mays was still living, he would not have allowed either her or the seniors to “feel the weight” of what is happening now.
1st Ward Councilman Leon El-Alamin sent a notice letter to all those currently residing in the ward.
But Lewis stated “Hasselbring’s membership includes seniors from throughout the county, not just Flint.”
Lewis also pointed out the city attorney had stated when the city takes over the center, the seniors will not be charged any fees, but she said they have not been charged fees in the past either.
During an interview with the Courier, Lewis confirmed the center has not had a lease agreement since 2016, which expired in 2018. She provided the lease to the Courier. She also stated the center needed the money from the rentals because Genesee County does not give it enough money to operate without them.
“Instead of trying to run us now, why would you not try to support us?” Lewis asked.
Hasselbring’s Board President Percy Knapp also talked to the Courier and said Hasselbring’s attorney has made them aware of their rights.
“We’re going to stay and fight,” he said.
