By KATHY KORENGEL
Herald Writer
GRANITE FALLS — Seniors who want to continue to live here, but want help with daily living, will have a new option soon.
A new $4.9 million, 60-unit independent-living facility will break ground at 302 N. Alder Ave. this month, said Leon Grundstein, president of Gencare Inc., the Seattle-based for-profit developer.
The Washington State Housing Finance Commission, a self-supporting state agency, will issue $3.93 million in bonds to help finance the Granite Falls Retirement Plaza.
The complex will include a common dining area, which will provide up to three meals a day, a library, a beauty salon and an activity room. Residents also will be offered housekeeping and linen services, an emergency call system in each apartment and van service, Grundstein said.
The majority of units will rent at market rate, although 21 units will be reserved for seniors on a moderate income. In addition, nine units will be reserved for people with disabilities. Renters need to be age 62 or older.
Construction is scheduled to be completed in 11 months, Grundstein said.
Wendy Westland, director of the Granite Falls Senior Center, said she thought seniors would welcome an independent living facility, "someplace where they can go and meet new people and get the help they need and still have some independence, particularly if the rent’s not too high."
While there is one adult family home in the city, she said she is not aware of any such independent-living facility for seniors now in the city of 2,000 residents.
The Housing Finance Commission provides below-market financing to buy, build or preserve affordable housing and nonprofit capital facilities at no cost to state taxpayers.
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