COLUMBUS, IN - A groundbreaking ceremony was held for Vivera Senior Living of Columbus, a new affordable assisted living community for Indiana seniors who need some help to maintain their independence. The community, which will be located at 1971 State Street in Columbus, is expected to open by next summer.
The four-story, 104,000 square-foot building will house 114 private studio and one-bedroom apartments. Vivera is designed to serve older adults of all income levels, including those on limited incomes. The community will accept the Medicaid waiver.
Each of the assisted living apartments at Vivera Senior Living will feature a kitchenette, spacious bathroom with shower and grab bars, individually-controlled heating and air conditioning units, and an emergency alert system. In addition, Vivera will have a large community room, a private dining room, sunrooms, walking paths in beautifully landscaped courtyards, a library, computer lounge, onsite general store and other amenities. Certified nursing assistants, working under the direction of a licensed nurse, will be on-duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The community combines residential apartment-home living with the availability of personal assistance, medication administration, and a variety of convenience and support services, such as meals, housekeeping, laundry, and on-site physical therapy.
When fully occupied, the community will provide 50 full-time and part-time jobs. Annual payroll with benefits is projected to be $1.8 million.
Vivera Senior Living was developed by The Marian Group, a full-service real estate development, construction, advisory and investment firm based in Louisville. Marian Development, the company’s development arm, has successfully completed 18 developments with more than 1,000 affordable housing units at a cost of nearly $142 million.
“The need for more affordable assisted living facilities in Indiana and throughout the country is well-documented," said Jacob L Brown, principal of The Marian Group. "We are honored to work with experienced development partners to bring Vivera Senior Living to Columbus, providing a new quality housing option for seniors looking to age in place gracefully and affordably.”
Gleason Architects, P.C. designed the community.
Construction for the $25-million project will be completed by Weber Group, a general contracting company with more than 35 years of experience, a diverse client base and a portfolio that includes the completion of more than 7,750 multifamily units nationwide.
Gardant Management Solutions, one of the nation’s largest assisted living providers, will manage Vivera Senior Living of Columbus.
Other Indiana properties managed by Gardant are Belvedere Senior Housing in Merrillville, Evergreen Village at Bloomington, Hellenic Senior Living in Elkhart, Indianapolis and New Albany, Heritage Woods of Noblesville, Glasswater Creek of Lafayette, Oasis at 30th and Oasis at 56th in Indianapolis, The Lodge at Summers Pointe in Winchester and White Oaks at Noblesville.
"Our focus," says Rod Burkett, CEO of Gardant Management Solutions, the company that will manage the community, "is to provide Vivera residents with the love, compassion and dignity they deserve and the help and assistance they need. Our emphasis is on helping each resident achieve and maintain as much independence as possible for as long as possible."