Racine Sun

The Burlington Senior Activity Center can continue leasing the building at 587 E. State St. from the City of Burlington rent-free for three years.

The Common Council recently approved the “2022 Lease Agreement between the City of Burlington and the Burlington Senior Center, Inc.” The lease is a three-year agreement with no rent from Jan. 1 until Dec. 31, 2024, a background/history to the agreement said.

“The Senior Center Board will continue to provide the Council with an annual report and budget,” the background/history said. “Let the record reflect that if the tenant elects to seek a lease following 2024 and beyond, the tenant must also provide a sustainable rental model for Council approval.”

As the owner and landlord of the building the senior center occupies, the City of Burlington entered into a lease agreement in 2018 that stated that the center didn’t have to pay rent.

"However, the annual lease amount was revisited in October 2018 for possible monthly payments to begin in January 2019,” the background/history said. “On Dec. 1, 2020, the Common Council approved the 2021 Lease Agreement for the Burlington Senior Center with no rent, allowing for more time to become both profitable and sustainable.”

The center relies on donations, its website said.

Connie Wilson applauded the council’s approval of the lease agreement.

“I donate yearly, but won't continue if the city charges rent,” Wilson said on the Facebook page of the Burlington Standard Press.

Seniors from Western Racine, Western Kenosha, Eastern Walworth County and visitors can participate in the center’s activities such as programs, clubs and classes, the center’s website said. The center re-opened on Feb. 14 after closing on Dec. 23, 2021, because of the omicron strand of COVID-19.