Ten buildings at the 110-year-old nursing home would be demolished, with only a 30-year-old nursing building and a service wing remaining. In its place, two 45-unit independent living buildings, a 55-unit assisted living facility, fitness center and 132-space parking garage would be built in the first phase of the project. Another 45 independent living units, 82 skilled nursing beds and additional parking spaces would be added in the second phase. Norwood Seniors Housing Association's project has been endorsed by the plan commission as well as the city council's committee on zoning. Besides construction drawings and city permits, the Norwood Seniors Housing Association needs Illinois Department of Public Health approval. A certificate of need from the Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board also may be required.
"We expect it'll be at least a year before we start construction," Norwood Seniors Housing Association chief executive officer Marcia Mahood tells GlobeSt.com. The bulk of the project will be financed with tax-exempt bonds, she adds, and the nonprofit corporation needs to take deposits for 70% of the independent living units.
Opponents of the project note a much smaller proposal by Senior Lifestyles Corp. on Northwest Highway was denied because of density issues. Meanwhile, the Norwood Seniors Housing Association proposal has doubled in size over the past six years, as additional single-family homes have been acquired.
"We need housing such as this for seniors," counters 42nd Ward Alderman Burton Natarus. "Our society is getting older and older. It doesn't look that dense to me." Natarus notes the project includes green space and recreation. "It looks like a beautiful project to me."
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