An apartment complex for seniors is in development in North Versailles.
Construction of the 40-unit Primrose Apartments is expected to get under way in February or March, with a targeted occupancy date of early 2015, according to developer Hudson Group Inc. of Hermitage.
“It's intended to create a community of senior citizens within a building where they live independently in a safe and secure environment,” Hudson's director of government services Dana Frankenburg said.
The project is being funded with a $6 million grant, awarded in 2011, from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Section 202 program for elderly housing.
The Community Action Partnership of Mercer County is the sponsor, and will own the building when it is completed. Frankenberg said the project constitutes good use of federal tax dollars.
“There is a high need for this type of housing in the North Versailles area,” Frankenburg said.
Allen Wagner, who is code enforcement officer for North Versailles, said he sees the facility as a good fit for the township. Wagner noted that approximately 42,000 seniors live within a five-mile radius of the township's Wal-Mart.
“The whole Mon Valley is senior citizen rich,” Wagner said.
The three-story apartment building will be built on five acres of the old Fillar estate on Denning Way. It's a location that puts it in close proximity to the Giant Eagle and other businesses along Route 30. Wagner, who through marriage has family ties to the previous owners of the land, said the property sat vacant for years and was thought to be undevelopable because of an abandoned petroleum line crossing the site.
Wagner said project planners were able to adjust to build around the pipe. Recent action by the township to subdivide the lot further cleared the way for the project to begin.
The apartments are single-bedroom units with kitchen, bath and living areas. The facility will have a large community area and computer lab. It will be a secure facility for seniors 62 and older who are able to live independently and meet income guidelines.
Community Action Partnership of Mercer County CEO Ron Errett said guidelines vary from region to region and change annually. If the building were open today, he said, the income cap for a single tenant would be $22,800.
Frankenburg said this will be the 15th such building Hudson has built for seniors. In particular, he said, the building in North Versailles will be closely modeled on the Westfield Towers located in Hopewell Township.
North Versailles commissioner Sam Juliano said he sees the apartment complex and other business developments in the township as a sign the economic picture is brightening.
“It will be a good benefit for the community,” Juliano said, adding that the complex could spawn more businesses. Juliano noted that three restaurants have opened in North Versailles in the past month.
Popeyes Chicken and Biscuits has opened an outlet at the intersection of Routes 48 and 30; El Patron Mexican Grill opened along Loews Drive near Wal-Mart; and Mario's Pizza opened along E. Pittsburgh McKeesport Boulevard.
Though the facility is still at least a year away from opening, persons interested in learning more about Primrose Apartments can call the Community Action Partnership of Mercer County at 724-347-1959.
Eric Slagle is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-664-9161 ext. 1966, or eslagle@tribweb.com.
