CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – Clarion Borough Council approved plans for a proposed $12.5 million 48-unit low income senior housing complex on a 1.14-acre lot on South Fifth Avenue Monday night.
“Hudson Asset Advisors, LP is proposing ‘Regency Commons’ new construction of a four-story facility for seniors age 62 and older on the South 5th Avenue in the heart of Clarion,” said Kelley Coey, Development Coordinator for Hudson Property Management.
“The site consists of two contiguous vacant lots and fits beautifully into the residential community. Gross building area is roughly 50,580 square feet. The proposed development includes 48 one-bedroom units, six of which will be fully accessible. Regency Commons will serve households whose incomes do not exceed 60 percent of area median income. Green initiatives will be incorporated into the project through Enterprise Green Communities criteria and Passive House standards.”
Voting for the proposal were Carol Lapinto, Earl Zerfoss, Ben Aaron, and Jason Noto. Chuck Bartley voted against the request. Senior living projects in Clarion Borough now require passage as a conditional use under zoning rules.
If approved this May for funding, construction would begin during spring of 2017 and be completed spring of 2018. Estimated total project cost is $12.5 million.
While the project is considered low-income, it is not HUD Section 8 housing and would be part of a low-income tax credit program through the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.
Amenities included in the facility will be: a community room with a kitchen, large front porch for gathering, management and supportive services offices, laundry room, computer/library room, fitness center, and a smart classroom where residents will be able to participate in programs, webinars and classes to foster fun educational enrichment learning opportunities. In addition, Regency Commons will connect tenants with health coaches from Primary Healthcare Network, as part of an effort to enable residents to age in place successfully.
“There is a significant need in our community for quality affordable housing for people of all ages. This development will help to address the needs of seniors; it is our hope that other developers will step up to improve the existing housing inventory or build new residential complexes for working adults and families,” said Dan Parker, president of Clarion Blueprint Communities.
“It is going to serve low-income seniors, 62 and over,” said Coey. “There will be six fully handicapped-accessible units, and the project will serve residents who are from 20 percent of area median income, 50 percent, and 60 percent. For example, the 60 percent monthly rents are going to be around the $542 range and that includes a tenant utility allowance for some utilities, but not telephone or cable. “The 48 one-bedroom units will be available for one or two persons,” said Coey. “As an example, the income ranges for a 60 percent classification would be $24,840 for one person and $28,380 for two persons.” The Blueprint Community group thinks the proposal fits in with the community’s revitalization plan.
“The proposed senior living complex on 5th Avenue in Clarion is an exciting project,” said Parker. “The developer presented the project to the Blueprint Team at our bi-weekly meeting, and we feel that it fits in perfectly with the community’s revitalization plan. The Clarion Blueprint Community Initiative is supportive of the Hudson Property Management’s project, and we believe this new development will help to improve and stabilize an existing neighborhood and help to beautify and enhance the approach to the Borough along a main thoroughfare.”
Hudson Companies is a family-owned business specializing in commercial construction, real estate development, acquisition, and land development. Since it’s founding in 1977, Hudson has built, developed, and acquired nearly $500 million of real estate.
Hudson will build the project and continue to own it, but will contract with a specific manager that has many years of experience in affordable housing management.
