New living centers going up!

BY DICK SAUNDERS

Waters Senior Living of Minnehaha

Two living centers valued at nearly $25 million have been started in the Corcoran-Midtown neighborhood, the largest affordable housing boost in that area in a decade.

First, Waters Senior Living of Minnehaha broke ground in April for 77 units of assisted living and memory care units at 3733 23rd Ave. S. for $15 million. Then Clare Housing announced plans May 26 for 45 care units for HIV/AIDS patients at 3105 23rd Ave. S. near the Hiawatha light- rail station at a cost to approach $10 million.

“The combined investment is the largest in housing in the 9th Ward since the $20-million YWCA project ten years ago,” said Gary Schiff, 9th Ward council member. “And they represent the city’s ongoing commitment to affordable housing as well as a significant boost in dollars provided to the construction industry during this difficult period.”

The Waters project is backed by a $12 mortgage loan guarantee by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) under a new HUD consolidated application process called Section 232/LEAN. It is the first such usage of the process in Minnesota, industry officials said.

Clare Midtown

Waters of Minnehaha also will be unique, being positioned as it is across the street from the 218-bed Providence Place nursing home. This will create a campus of continuous care options for the aging in nearby communities, said Kathleen Conlan Joyce, senior developer for Waters Senior
Living.

The project is to open in a year.

Clare Midtown’s 45 home-like living units “are designed to respond to the changing demographics and personal support needs of people living with HIV/AIDS,” said Lee Lewis, executive director.

Lewis announced that Clare Midtown has secured $9.2 million in public financing and is seeking an additional $1 million in private donations to complete amenities. Permanent funding is coming from HUD, Hennepin County, the City of Minneapolis, the National Equity Fund, Minnesota Housing and Clare Housing.
Clare Housing is the outgrowth of five organizations dedicated to shelter, care and support services for HIV/AIDS since 1987. It is the largest such housing provider in the state. It operates six adult foster care homes, a 32-unit supportive housing development, and 20 units of scattered-site housing.

The Clare Midtown project also is to be finished in early 2011.