Planners give nod to senior complex

Frontiersman

WASILLA — The city’s planning commission has given a green light to Nugent Properties and its plan to develop a $13.5 to $15 million retirement community here.

The development will be part of Primrose Retirement Communities, an already successful and growing company based in the Lower 48. Although development preparations are moving forward, it must still receive final approval from Wasilla City Council, City Planner Jim Holycross said.

“I can’t image they would not be wholeheartedly approving this plan,” said Holycross, adding Nugent Properties has presented a plan that would serve the city’s older population. “From a planning perspective, I have not seen any negatives.”

The community will include assisted living and independent living housing for about 80 seniors, Nugent Properties reports. Tenants will be able to choose from apartment units or duplex-style townhouse villas. Howard Nugent, owner of Nugent Properties, said one of the reasons he chose to bring Primrose to Alaska is because the company specializes in creating small town retirement communities.

“They keep it small and they keep it personal,” Nugent said.

Mike O’Keefe, marketing director for Primrose, said the company’s success stems from a commitment to the owner’s original philosophy.

“The goal from the get-go has always been to provide a happy and healthy environment,” he said.

When it comes to providing that environment, there’s a lot more to consider than just building a place where seniors can live, he said. At Primrose, staff can help seniors live comfortably and safely while maintaining independence. For the Wasilla development, Primrose plans to employ 25 staff members, including registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and certified nurses assistants, O’Keefe said. Overall, the complex will have an annual payroll in excess of $750,000.

In addition to a full-time medical staff, employees will be available 24 hours a day to help seniors address any issues that may arise, O’Keefe said.

Wasilla Planning Commissioner Stan Tucker said the community will help house the city’s growing senior population and do so with a quality development.

“It really looks like he’s trying to put together a first-class place in every way,” Tucker said about Nugent.

Tucker not only approves of the development from a planning standpoint, but said as he grows older the usefulness of this type of development hits close to home.

“I am old enough to get a senior discount, so it’s nice to know these services are available for us,” he said.

If approved, Primrose of Wasilla will be located on a 9.9-acre parcel north of Elkhorn Drive. Construction is scheduled to begin in April and is planned for completion April 2009.