Two new assisted living projects planned for Capitol Hill’s neighboring neighborhoods will go in front of the design review board Wednesday night.
Both are part of a development trend addressing the market demand for more senior housing in Seattle. CHS previously wrote about how senior citizens, many of whom have lived in the area for a long time, are choosing to stay around Capitol Hill and Central Seattle, either in their homes, or in some of the new and established facilities which cater to older folks. The U.S. Census estimates that 21% of residents in the 98112 ZIP code are 60 or older.
Last spring, CHS wrote about one of the projects — a new neighbor planned for the Frye Art Museumweighing it at 23 stories on Terry Ave and developed by Columbia Pacific Advisors on property owned by the Archdiocese of Seattle. The other is a development just underway in Eastlake from Aegis Living. The company opened a seven-story, 104-unit facility complete with a “Memory Care Deck” designed to help residents feel at home with a “façade of an old-fashioned neighborhood” at 22nd and E Madison in 2014.
Capitol Hill’s Gay City is bringing the voices of LGBTQ artists over 40 to the stage to share their experiences in a performance called Alotta Sh*t Has Happened: LGBTQ Elders Speak.
It’s a free show that has grabbed many people’s attention. Friday and Saturday are already packed. Sunday’s matinee and evening show still have seats. Snag your ticket quickly, young one, and settle in to hear some stories.
“I know friends of mine in their 40s, 50s and 60s are really thirsty for other LGBTQ people to talk to,” Tara Hardy, Gay City arts director said.
But it’s not just that demographic that is interested. Hardy said she knows people in their teens, 20s and 30s who are interested in hearing what the older generations have to say. When she first became arts director about a year ago, Hardy, who has a background in the arts and social justice, asked herself, “Who are the populations who have not been historically served at Gay City?” Hardy, 52, said she had no idea there would be such huge response to a show about the topic. Continue reading →
CHS has reported before on the value of diverse neighbors and the importance of people finding a way to stay part of Central Seattle as they age. Last weekend, some of First Hill’s senior members got together for a party and CHS was invited to stop by to see the fun — and hear a good joke or three.
Sunday’s second annual Seniors’ Senior Prom at The Summit at First Hill retirement community had a casino night theme. Like any good prom, it had some fancy outfits and people having fun looking their best. Like any good casino, there was also a comedienne.
Rose Liberman was at the prom and enjoying herself. The great grandmother and Holocaust survivor was born in Poland, spent time in the ghettos, and spent more than two years in a concentration camp. Rose was accompanied by her grandkids Neil and Sarah while kids from Capitol Hill’s Temple De Hirsch Sinai were also on hand to help out on the night. “Kids keep me young,” Liberman said, just warming up. Her advice on life? “Life is hard.”
It’s another apartment tower on deck for First Hill, this one aimed at senior housing.
Seattle’s Columbia Pacific Advisors announced last week it has entered a deal to build a 23-story senior housing tower at Terry and James on property owned by the Archdiocese of Seattle.
The tower at 620 Terry Ave, located across Cherry St. from the Frye Art Museum, would be comprised of independent living apartments, assisted living units, and memory care suites. The design from Ankrom Moisan Architects call for 1,800 square feet of retail and 188 parking stalls.
The project would require the demolition of a single family home, office building, and surface parking lot — all owned by the Archdiocese, which will to retain ownership of the property.
“The ground lease will provide important long-term funding for Archdiocesan programs and for the Cathedral’s many social outreach ministries, while preserving church ownership of the property,” said Archdiocese spokesperson Greg Magnoni in a statement. Continue reading →
(Image: Travis Peterson, courtesy of Ewing and Clark)
A dementia care home on Capitol Hill is preparing to close after the facility’s nonprofit owner announced Wednesday it was selling the 17th and E Madison property likely to be coveted by developers despite its possible landmark status.
Since it was opened by Full Life Care in 2004, the Gaffney House has served hundreds of Alzheimer and dementia clients in a rare, small-scale assisted living setting. Full Life executive director Nora Gibson told CHS the organization was forced to put the 1605 17th Ave house up for sale when it lost its loan on the property. Continue reading →
Artist’s depiction of the housing planned around Capitol Hill Station
Believe it or not, there are people on Capitol Hill whose silver locks aren’t the result of a granny-hair trend. The U.S. Census estimates that 21% of residents in the 98112 ZIP code are 60 or older. These senior citizens, many of whom have lived in the area for a long time, are choosing to stay on the Hill, either in their homes, or in some of the new and established facilities which cater to older folks. Meanwhile, more are choosing to stay or come here as the transportation investments that are part and parcel with dense, urban environments are also the kinds of mobility features that appeal to seniors.
More senior housing may be on the horizon next to the Broadway light rail station, said Brie Gyncild, co-chair of Capitol Hill Champion, a group focusing on the developments around the transit facility.
“We’ve frequently heard the need for family housing on the Hill, but not quite as much about senior housing until recently,” she said.
Going forward, Gerding Edlen is planning meetings with different interest groups, and one of them will likely be with senior citizens, Gyncild said. “That conversation is likely to be more about the particular needs and concerns of seniors regarding the design of the plaza and other public spaces, building access, etc.,” she said.
But there are other new options and alternatives for an aging population. Wider Horizons Village, formed last summer and tries to work with seniors who wish to age in place.
“We help older people age well at home with social activities and services,” said Denise Klein, executive director of the nonprofit. Membership costs $600 per year, and the group has 76 members so far. Most members, Klein said, aren’t empty-nesters moving in from the suburbs, but people who have been here for a long time, and still live in the big houses on Capitol Hill, or in Montlake, Madrona or Leschi. Continue reading →
Two new assisted living projects planned for Capitol Hill’s neighboring neighborhoods will go in front of the design review board Wednesday night.
