FRANKLIN—The deal for the city to sell the Hayden School building to Senior Services of Southeastern Virginia, “is taking a long time, but it’s still moving along,” according to John Skirven, chief executive officer of Senior Services.

More than a year ago, the Franklin City Council agreed to enter into a contract to sell the building to Senior Services, a regional organization that provides services for senior citizens.

“We still are in sort of a holding pattern,” said Franklin City Attorney Taylor Williams.

Under terms of the contract approved in 2009, the buyers would pay $400,000 for the building and six acres of land. The city agreed to pay to mitigate any environmental problems with the property, up to the amount of the purchase price.

The planned Della I. Hayden Mixed Use Community Center includes apartments for senior citizens, an adult day-care center, a Head Start center, a commercial kitchen, Senior Services offices, medical support offices and a heritage museum.

Skirven said all of the partners in the project are “still looking forward to it.”

“The relationships are still very positive with the city of Franklin and the Franklin Redevelopment and Housing Authority,” he said.

Skirven said last week he couldn’t give a timeframe for the Hayden project.