With new community center coming, Merriam leaders talk future of Irene B. French facility

While Merriam is in the final stages of design for its new community center at Vavra Park, city leaders began talks on the future of the Irene B. French Community Center.

Mayor Ken Sissom and City Administrator Chris Engel asked councilmembers on Monday for input on how the city should proceed with formalizing plans for the historic building at 5701 Merriam Drive.

In light of some complaints from residents over the past several weeks on the process of designing and building the new community center, many councilmembers shared their hopes to avoid frustrations during the process of planning for the future of the French Center.

The city will form a committee to look at the issue, Engel said. That committee, perhaps an ad hoc group, could be comprised of representatives from residents, councilmembers, city staff and the Merriam Downtown Partnership.