By Larissa Dudkiewicz
A senior housing development is in the works for Ambridge borough.
Victor Rodriguez, president of a.m. Rodriguez Associates, presented borough council Tuesday with plans to build a 52-unit, four-story apartment building exclusively for seniors ages 62 and over.
A senior housing development is in the works for Ambridge borough.
Victor Rodriguez, president of a.m. Rodriguez Associates, presented borough council Tuesday with plans to build a 52-unit, four-story apartment building exclusively for seniors ages 62 and over.
The standalone, independent-living apartments are slated to be built along the north end of New Economy Drive on vacant property about 250 feet from Merchant Street.
Rent prices, including utilities, would range between set prices of $500 to $800 per unit, which are based on the area’s median income.
Rodriguez said rents would not be subsidized like a public housing project or Section 8, and residents would be required to undergo credit and criminal background checks.
Rodriguez Associates develops mostly senior housing and they remain in the community to manage the property.
A maintenance man would be on site 40 hours a week, along with a manager and a part-time janitor.
“Our senior buildings typically have common areas where they have community rooms, craft rooms and a meet house…different things for the seniors so they can socialize within the building. We’re proposing something similar to this.”
Rent prices, including utilities, would range between set prices of $500 to $800 per unit, which are based on the area’s median income.
Rodriguez said rents would not be subsidized like a public housing project or Section 8, and residents would be required to undergo credit and criminal background checks.
Rodriguez Associates develops mostly senior housing and they remain in the community to manage the property.
A maintenance man would be on site 40 hours a week, along with a manager and a part-time janitor.
“Our senior buildings typically have common areas where they have community rooms, craft rooms and a meet house…different things for the seniors so they can socialize within the building. We’re proposing something similar to this.”
A community room, game area, exercise room, hair care facility, and other amenities are included in the plans, he said.
Rodriguez said the company still has to go in for financing on Friday and likely won't find out until July if they are funded. The property would not be tax exempt.
"We are asking for some funds from the county to help construct the building. We have asked them for about $300,000," he said.
Theoretically, if everything falls into place, he said they expect to close on the financing in six to eight months, or by February 2015, and complete construction about a year later in February or March 2016.
Rodriguez said having council's support will be helpful and council members appeared to embrace the plans.
“I think that we’ll be 100 percent behind you and will help you anyway we can to get that to be a reality,” said Council President Michael Mikulich, who joked that he will be 62 and eligible once the apartments are ready.
Rodriguez Associates have built similar housing developments in western Pennsylvania, including the Woodcrest Retirement Residence in Moon Township and residences in the North Hills, White Oak and Pittsburgh's South Side. This is the company’s first foray into Beaver County.
Pat Nardelli, partner at Castlebrook Development LLC, said Rodriguez Associates was the third group of residential developers to contact them about the land. Nardelli said they were ultimately chosen because of their good reputation.
“Their management is excellent. They take pride in what they do. It’s a family business, and they stay in the deal for a long time," Nardelli told council.. "We’re very pleased that you’re in support of them.”
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Rodriguez said the company still has to go in for financing on Friday and likely won't find out until July if they are funded. The property would not be tax exempt.
"We are asking for some funds from the county to help construct the building. We have asked them for about $300,000," he said.
Theoretically, if everything falls into place, he said they expect to close on the financing in six to eight months, or by February 2015, and complete construction about a year later in February or March 2016.
Rodriguez said having council's support will be helpful and council members appeared to embrace the plans.
“I think that we’ll be 100 percent behind you and will help you anyway we can to get that to be a reality,” said Council President Michael Mikulich, who joked that he will be 62 and eligible once the apartments are ready.
Rodriguez Associates have built similar housing developments in western Pennsylvania, including the Woodcrest Retirement Residence in Moon Township and residences in the North Hills, White Oak and Pittsburgh's South Side. This is the company’s first foray into Beaver County.
Pat Nardelli, partner at Castlebrook Development LLC, said Rodriguez Associates was the third group of residential developers to contact them about the land. Nardelli said they were ultimately chosen because of their good reputation.
“Their management is excellent. They take pride in what they do. It’s a family business, and they stay in the deal for a long time," Nardelli told council.. "We’re very pleased that you’re in support of them.”
Like Ambridge Connection on Facebook, follow us on Twitter.
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