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Section II. Project Description <br /> B. Project Description, Scope of Work, and Protection Provided . <br /> 1 . Description of the existing problem. <br /> Currently, the Indian River Council on Aging (Council) provides a number of services to the <br /> county ' s aging population . Services include transit assistance, Meals on Wheels, adult day <br /> care, respite care, congregate meals, home-making, and custom care . The Council provides <br /> services to an ever-growing population within Indian River County . As of the year 2000, the <br /> percentage of the population aged 60 and over had reached approximately 35 %. This number <br /> is expected to grow in the future . The Council ' s current facilities are insufficient for the <br /> current level of service it is providing to the community. Due to the many services provided to <br /> the elderly, the existing Council facility is considered a critical facility . At present, the Senior <br /> Center is undersized to meet growing demand . Built in 1982 , the facility was not constructed <br /> according to today ' s accepted building standards, standards that meet hurricane (wind and <br /> elevation) requirements . This facility is not adequate to serve as a primary hurricane shelter in <br /> accordance with American Red Cross (ARC) #4496 Shelter Guidelines . Indian River County <br /> also currently has a shelter deficiency of approximately 2 ,000 spaces for category 3 , 4 , and 5 <br /> storms . Because the State of Florida has emphasized the importance of adequate shelter space, <br /> this issue is one of utmost importance for the County . <br /> 2. Describe the types of protection that the proposed project will give. <br /> Construction of a new facility will provide adequate space for the Council to continue to <br /> provide its current level of service to the community . The new facility will be built to resist up <br /> to 140 mile per hour winds and will be built above the base flood elevation . Although the <br /> proposed site for the new senior center has never experienced chronic flooding, the possibility <br /> still exists . The new facility will also be built and furnished to meet ARC ' s #4496 shelter <br /> guidelines so that the facility may serve as a shelter during emergencies . In addition, the <br /> senior center will be equipped with hurricane shutters and an emergency generator. The <br /> facility ' s shelter capabilities will include special equipment (i . e . defibrillators) to <br /> accommodate the needs of the elderly, but will be open to all community members as well . <br /> 3. Scope of Work. <br /> The PDM funding would be used to upgrade the new senior center facility so that it meets <br /> current hurricane construction and building guidelines , is above the base flood elevation, and <br /> meets the ARC ' s guidelines for emergency shelters . <br /> 4. Describe any other on-going or proposed projects in the area that may impact, positively or <br /> negatively the proposed HMGP or FMA project. <br /> According to the Indian River County Planning Department, there are no on-going or <br /> proposed projects that might impact the proposed project. <br />