Well, flood danger is over. The waters are expected to recede into Moderate Stage later today. In the meantime, there are two more development stories that made the news today. Here they are:
A new $15 million senior living-oriented development is expexted to startb construction this spring:
Better senior living?
By Teri Finneman, The Forum
Published Saturday, April 08, 2006
Construction is expected to begin this spring in south Fargo on a $15 million senior living facility in a 48-acre development devoted to people ages 50 and older.
Edgewood Development Group in Grand Forks, N.D., is planning to build a one-story 99-unit assisted-living facility connected to a three-story 85-unit independent-living facility at 4440 37th Ave. S.
The future Edgewood Village development will also consist of 34 twin homes, 48 patio homes, 11 single-family homes, a small business district, parks and ponds, said Phil Gisi, chief financial officer and co-owner of Edgewood Development Group.
“This concept is what our company has changed into over the last few years,” Gisi said of the expanded development. “We’re trying to build a neighborhood for really active seniors, or the 50 or better population.”
The development group does feasibility studies on communities across the Upper Midwest and has been eyeing Fargo as a site for many years, Gisi said.
After taking time to build out of state, the company decided to come back to North Dakota and expand more locally, he said.
The Fargo assisted-living and independent-living facility will occupy 13 acres of the development and is expected to be complete by summer 2007.
The facility will employ about 110 people and include a memory care unit for people with Alzheimer’s, Gisi said.
The assisted-living section will be joined to the independent-living building by a commons area that will include a chapel, hair salon, café and 40-seat movie theater, Gisi said.
The theater is set up where residents can bring in their own movies and watch in a nicer setting with popcorn and pop, he said.
Residents’ rooms will be designed like apartments. Assisted-living residents will have studio-size apartments, while independent-living residents will have large two-bedroom apartments, he said.
“It’s almost like a condominium,” Gisi said of the independent-living building. “People can buy their own units if they like, or they can rent them from us. If they need additional services, we can provide that in there also.”
Elsewhere on the property, six twin homes and patio homes are expected to be built by fall, Gisi said. More homes will be built as demand arises.
The patio homes will range from 1,300 to 2,100 square feet, while the twin homes will be about 2,300 square feet, Gisi said. Twin homes with a three-stall garage will be close to 2,800 square feet.
Gisi said Friday he didn’t know a price range for these homes yet, but said they would be competitively priced. The homes will belong to an association. No income guidelines apply.
“Basically, we sell it as an active lifestyle where you can move in and be safe and if you need help, it’s there,” Gisi said.
Edgewood Village will also devote more than 5½ acres to a park that includes an arbor walk and bike paths. Two ponds are also on the development.
Possible businesses for the small commercial area on the site include a bank, coffee shop and pharmacy, Gisi said.
The commitment by Edgewood Development Group to offer a quality living area is evident by the uniqueness of the project, said Alan Dostert, president of EAPC Architects Engineers. The Fargo firm is designing the development.
“This is great. I think it will make for a living environment that will just be tremendous,” Dostert said.