Day care center planned for former funeral home

The former Poole Funeral Home may get a new life soon.

The Port Washington Plan Commission was expected to review a proposal to use the former funeral home at 104 W. Main St. as an intergenerational day care facility when it met Wednesday, Aug. 26.

The proposal by Zeal Investment Partners LLC calls for the building, to be called PooleHouse, to be used as an “adult socialization, wellness and longevity center combined with an infant/preschool care facility.”

The proposal notes that as many as 30 full-time adults and 16 infants and toddlers would be at the center full time, with adults paying a monthly membership fee and the families of children making a year-long financial commitment to the center.

The adults include independent senior citizens and those with various disabilities, according to the proposal.

Children will interact with adults through shared reading time, lunches and select activities, according to the proposal.

Poole Funeral Home was one of the longest-running family-owned businesses in downtown Port when owner Patrick Poole decided to retire, closing the funeral home in December 2023 after 110 years in business.

The 11,000-square-foot commercial space will require minor updates to accommodate the change in use, according to documents filed with the city by Zeal Investment Partners.

“It is the goal of Zeal Investment Partners LLC to preserve the historical nature of the site,” the document states.

“It is our exciting mission to continue an uncompromised tradition of excellence and reputation worthy of following in the original family’s footstep.”

PooleHouse, it noted, will “offer the much needed services for unmet demands that to this day exceed available quality facilities.”

The document notes that the business will be supported not only by payments from clients but also revenue from five rental properties — a triplex that is fully leased and two three-bedroom apartments on the upper level of the former funeral home.

There is also a strong potential for future business expansion, according to the proposal, which noted there is “ample square footage.”

The former funeral home is in the city’s B-4 zoning district, which does not specifically allow intergenerational day care centers, according to a memo from Bob Harris, the city’s director of planning.

Day care centers are not permitted in the B-4 district, he noted, but community service establishments, such as a private lodge or social club, are permitted.

If there’s a question about the classification of a property’s use, Harris said, it is up to the Plan Commission to determine the issue.

He is recommending classifying PooleHouse as a community service establishment. If approved, Zeal Investment Partners will have to return to the commission with a building, site and operations plan for approval.