80 Units of Affordable Luxury Soon Available for San Bernardino Seniors
Aaron Mandel of Meta Housing, second from left receives a certificate of appreciation presented to him by Senior Field Representative Sheila Futch on behalf of Assembly Member Wilmer Amina Carter as Mayor Pat Morris, and Ward 6 Council Member Rikke Van Johnson watch.
Left to right): Aaron Mandel-Meta Housing, Mayor Pat Morris, Josie Gonzales-5th District Supervisor, Graham Espey-Jones-Western Community Housing, John Huskey- Meta Housing, Fred Shorett-Council Member Ward 4, Jeffrey Boysen-President of Optimus Construction Inc. turn over the first shovels of dirt at a new luxury senior housing project, Magnolia at Highland. Photo by Chris Sloan.
(Left to right): Pastor Ray Turner, Carey Jenkins-Director of Housing & Community Development, Emil Marzullo-Executive Director of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency, Rikke Van Johnson-Council Member Ward 6, Virginia Marquez-Council Member Ward 1, Aaron Mandel-Meta Housing, Mayor Pat Morris, Josie Gonzales-5th District Supervisor, Graham Espey-Jones-Western Community Housing, John Huskey- Meta Housing, Fred Shorett-Council Member Ward 4, Jeffrey Boysen-President of Optimus Construction Inc. dig in to start construction of a new luxury senior housing project, Magnolia at Highland. Photo by Chris Sloan
8992: (left to right): Jeffrey Boysen-President of Optimus Construction Inc, Graham Espey-Jones-Western Community Housing, Aaron Mandel-Meta Housing, Rikke Van Johnson-Council Member Ward 6, Pastor Ray Turner, Milo Victoria-CEO/General Manager, Virginia Marquez-Council Member Ward 1, Fred Shorett-Council Member Ward 4, Josie Gonzales-5th District Supervisor, Mayor Pat Morris, Carey Jenkins-Director of Housing & Community Development, John Huskey- Meta Housing at the Magnolia at Highland groundbreaking ceremony. Photo by Chris Sloan
(SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.) Residents in the City of San Bernardino will soon have affordable luxury living available on the west side of town, for individuals age 62 and older, courtesy of The Magnolia at Highland Project.
San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales, City of San Bernardino Mayor, Patrick Morris, San Bernardino City Councilman Rikke Van Johnson, along with a host of city officials and dignitaries, came together at a recent ground breaking for this luxury senior citizen housing complex.
“This day signals the beginning of a transformation of what was once a blighted automotive site, into a high quality residential community for one of our most treasured resources – our seniors,” said Mayor Morris.
Located on the South West corner of Highland and Medical Center Drive, the project is declared to be a milestone for the City of San Bernardino and was the result of a study conducted in 2008 that revealed the city was approximately 1,000 units below what is needed for an aging population in the form of affordable senior housing.
“This is one more great project for the city of San Bernardino. I am always here to support projects such as this,” said San Bernardino County Supervisor Josie Gonzales.
Scheduled for a January 2012 opening, the community will have an on-site community advisor, offering seniors multiple educational and social activities. If that is not enough, a luxury resort level setting, with a choice of three separate floor plans, will also surround them.
The first floor plan is a one-bedroom unit of approximately 589 square feet with a patio or balcony. The two other plans consist of 2-bedroom units of approximately 828 square feet and 971 square feet, also with patios or balconies.
An outdoor patio area with shade trees, a fountain, barbecue grills, a swimming pool and adequate areas for relaxed seating will enhance the exterior of the facility. A walking path around the perimeter of the building will allow residents the opportunity for exercise while at the same time providing them with a sense of security as the path will be within a decorative 6-foot wrought iron fence that surrounds the project.
“This is the culmination of several years of hard work,” said Carey Jenkins, San Bernardino Economic Development Agency’s Housing and Community Development Director. “It is exciting to move forward with a project that has an immediate benefit to the residents and the city, while we continue our efforts to revitalize the west side of San Bernardino.”
Carrying a total development cost of $19 million, the San Bernardino Economic Development Agency partnered with Optimus Construction, Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, Chase, California Community Reinvestment Corporation, Western Community Housing Management and Meta Housing to reach their goal.
The San Bernardino Economic Development Agency’s agreed upon subsidy for the project is $7 million from its redevelopment low and moderate income housing funds. These funds are for housing only and cannot be used for city’s general fund.
The project has also retained a one-acre parcel of land for future sale or development opportunities, and creates a future stream of income that can be used for developments including senior or single-family housing.
“This was the easiest city we ever worked with,” said John Huskey of Meta Housing, Inc. “They were very responsive and really made the effort to provide us with the input we needed, in a timely fashion, which enabled us to provide them with what they really wanted.”
For more information on this project call Carey Jenkins at the City of San Bernardino Economic Development Agency at (909) 663-1044.
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