Senior Area of Sandy-Ravaged Multi-Service Center Reopens

Bingo is back and better than ever at Hoboken's Multi-Service Center on Grand Street.

Hoboken residents wasted no time returning to their old routines Monday as the senior portion of the center, which sustained extensive flood damage in Superstorm Sandy, re-opened.

The senior bingo game, which now features an electronic board, attracted a full house Monday afternoon. Other improvements include an ADA-compliant ramp and railing leading to the building's entrance, new tables and chairs, water-resistant flooring and raised electrical wiring that's expected to minimize damage from future flood events, Health and Human Services director Leo Pellegrini said.

The rest of the Multi-Service Center's first floor, which previously housed a federally-funded day care center, a family planning clinic and the HOPES community service organization headquarters, is still closed for repairs. Pellegrini said he expects the rest of the first floor renovations to be complete some time in September.

He said all of the center's senior programming has resumed, with the exception of Meals on Wheels, which won't start back up until late this week or next week once the necessary kitchen appliances have been delivered.

Mayor Dawn Zimmer will join seniors at the Multi-Service Center Tuesday for a 10 a.m. ribbon cutting ceremony to commemorate the re-opening.