Senior housing negotiations eyed

104 units envisioned on city-owned acreage

Citing an increasing demand for middle income-level senior housing, Boulder City Senior Housing/Services Inc. wants to step up the effort in addressing the need.

The housing corporation plans to ask the City Council on Tuesday for authority to allow city staff to open negotiations with the Volunteers of America, which could see the nonprofit organization build 104 units on a portion of city-owned land previously approved by the council for such a use.

The council approved setting aside 27.5 acres on the northeast corner of Adams Boulevard and Veterans Memorial Drive for the project as part of the 2004 Land Management Plan.

Since then, staff has issued an amended request for proposals, which was answered by the Volunteers of America and The McCarty Co. by the June 3 due date.

"We're now at the point where we feel comfortable in having enough understanding with the VOA to proceed (in negotiations)," said Lettie Zimmerman, president of the corporation. "Negotiating the land is going to be a big element. Our role would be to keep an eye on the talks to make sure what's decided meets our needs."

The plan is to build the project in phases, with the first segment envisioned on about 12 acres containing 104 units.

The accommodations would consist of 44 independent living units; 44 rental apartments; and 16 congregate care units in two "greenhouses," each with eight units.

A greenhouse allows for assisted living in a group home or "family" environment, where each person has a room for privacy, but common functions such as cooking and socializing occur in a common area.

The independent living units would come with health-care case management, a way to keep tabs on everyone's needs without neglecting anyone.

"This is where registered nurses would interview each resident to learn about their medications and their health," said Damon Ohlerking, an expert consultant with Boulder City Senior Housing/Services "That way they can keep track of their living conditions so they can offer coordinated services. Really, it allows seniors to age in place."

One of the issues that's been resolved is the division of responsibilities between the city and the Volunteers of America.

"The VOA will be the developer responsible for their own financing, development, construction and operations," Zimmerman said. "The city's role would be to provide the land under lease conditions."

The land must be leased at a fair market value rate, however, the proponents believe the land could be committed at a lower rate if the project is for the "public good."

As for other associated charges, it's proposed that costs for appraisals and other administrative expenses be hammered out between the city and Volunteers of America to determine who pays for what.

The remainder of the unused land in the first phase, about 15.5 acres to build-out, would be developed at a later date.

Future development, as proposed, would include a park with walking paths and a community building that would house offices, a recreation area, library, kitchen, dining room, social room, computer room and other amenities.

Jane Rohde of JRS Associates has been contracted by the city to develop the request for proposals, as well as evaluate the responses, Ohlerking said.


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