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Senior housing coming to Durand
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Thursday, July 3, 2008 10:39 AM EDT
DURAND - The historic Arthur Lucas Junior High School has begun its transformation into Sycamore House, a 40-unit senior housing community.
The project is being completed by Woda Construction, an Ohio-based developer.
Pre-construction demolition took place about 45 days ago, and once the $6.5-million project is complete, units will be rented out exclusively to seniors age 55 and over.
Leases will range from $225 to $660 a month.
“From everything I've been told thus far, the project is going very well,” Interim City Manager and Clerk Amy Roddy said. “Right now they are in there and gutting out what they don't need. They are hauling away a lot of debris, and I know they had to contain and remove all the asbestos.”
The construction will occur over the next 12 to 13 months. The grand opening is expected by Sept. 1, 2009. The project is expected to employ one full-time property manager and a part-time maintenance person.
“We worked with (Woda Development) to try and identify communities in the area that would be a good fit for this type of a project,” Justin Horvath, director of Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership, said. “We got them turned on to Durand and basically the city took the ball and ran with it very well. They were very helpful in working with the developer and making this project go forward.”
The building has been vacant since about 2000 when the new middle school was built, according to City Manager Lynn Markland.
Despite renovations, Woda Development is dedicated to retaining the historic features and character of the early 1920s building.
Once the renovations are complete, residents of the Sycamore House will still be able to tell they are in former classrooms.
And although Woda Development will serve as the general contractor, they hope to utilize local firms for subcontracting work.
The project is being funded through a combination of federal tax credits provided through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, historical tax credits and equity financing.
“I think it is a great development. It's a great location for that type of use,” Markland said. “It's within walking distance of the grocery store, the downtown area, the library, a church and the city park...It's going to be a really good asset to the community.”
Markland also said they already have a list of about a dozen people who are interested in moving into the Sycamore House once it is completed.
“In my opinion, this is like building a new subdivision in (Durand),” Markland said, “because there will be some people who will probably sell their homes to move into the facility, and then other people will be able to move into those houses.”
Horvath said he believes the project will benefit the local community.
“There is a market for senior housing in our area and I think (Woda) is helping to fill a housing need that is out there,” Horvath said.
- Contact Michael Peterson at 725-5136 extension 223 or mpetersonarguspress@gmail.com.
