Wasilla gives OK to senior housing

WASILLA — Area seniors will have a new place to call home.

Wasilla City Council has given the final go-ahead for a new retirement community to be built in Wasilla. The development will be a part of Primrose Retirement Communities, a company with retirement communities across the country.

After a relaxed and friendly discussion with Howard Nugent of Howdie Inc. and Nugent Properties, council voted unanimously Jan. 28 to approve the development. As a planned unit development, the city requires the project to go through an approval process. It has already received a green light from the city’s planning commission.

Deputy Mayor Kristofer Larson said the community seems to be in favor of the project and he believes it will provide a great place for seniors to live.

“If this development is anywhere close to what has been presented it will set a pretty good standard,” Larson said.

The retirement community will be a $13.5 million to $15 million project and will include 32 assisted-living units, 36 independent-living units and eight villas, Nugent Properties reports. The development will house about 80 retired individuals. Along with living space, Primrose will provide on-site care with a staff of registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and certified nurses assistants.

Wasilla Councilman Marty Metiva said the development will be a great addition to Wasilla and thanked Nugent for proposing a beneficial development. He also had one question.

“What’s the earliest I can move into this place?” he asked.

Primrose Retirement Community will be located on a 9.9-acre parcel near Lucille Street off Elkhorn Drive. Construction is tentatively scheduled for completion by April 2009.