Construction at McKnight Senior Village II is well under way. Grading was completed in late May, and foundations poured in early June. Mid-June saw the beginning of framing started. July will see construction continue with framing the second and third floors.
Sonoma Palms Apartments:
An ENERGY STAR
High-Quality Development
In the recent Nevada Housing Division’s “Programs and Performances Fiscal Year 2008” booklet, Sonoma Palms Apartments was highlighted for its ENERGY STAR energy efficiency.
The 238-unit project is noted for “exemplifying the high-quality of energy assurances, passing all the tests and measures verified by an analysis of the building plans pre-construction and verified by in- spection and post construction testing using energy efficiency sampling protocol.”
One of the Division’s criteria for all its bond and tax credit projects is that the builders of residential units meet the standards for energy efficiency and ENERGY STAR guidelines. Sonoma Palms is now in its second year of operations.
What’s Developing… By George Gekakis, President - The Sense of Community
Creating a sense of community is one of the most important aspects of any multi-family development, but especially with senior housing. Many seniors are alone, or have sporadic visits from relatives. Sometimes it is difficult for them or their contemporaries to travel to spend some time together.
Planned outing offered by management are always enjoyed, but having people come to visit at your home help create the memorable experiences that will be long remembered. That is the beauty of the Intergenerational Program offered by City of Las Vegas.
Our McKnight Senior Village is a participant with 5th graders from the local schools visiting our seniors each week to work on projects and crafts. These children help to create an extended family for our seniors. Though their participation is temporary (for the year), as they graduate and move on, a new group of kids will come to join our residents. They will learn wisdom from our seniors and our residents will enjoy the wonderful sense of community that makes that important difference.
The Green Builder:
GGI promotes green building practices!
In our ongoing commitment to promote green building practices, we recently upgraded three of our older Senior apartment properties to Xeriscape desert landscaping.
These developments, built in the later 1990’s and early 2000, had traditional planting and grass. Now these properties have eliminated their lawns in favor of indigenous, water- conserving desert planting.
Not only will the properties enjoy an updated look, but a reduction in water use will also mean the added benefit of a reduction in water cost!
An excerpt from April 27 on-line issue of Multi-Housing News:
GEORGE GEKAKIS BREAKS GROUND ON SIN CITY AFFORDABLE SENIOR HOUSING
Real estate development firm George Gekakis, Inc. (GGI) and non-profit sponsor Silver State Housing have broken ground on McKnight Senior Village II. The project is located near downtown Las Vegas and is helping to revitalize the area and bring more affordable housing to our Las Vegas Valley. The $14,398,000 tax credit project received unanimous support of City of Las Vegas Planning Commission and City Council.
“The project is financed with low-income housing tax credits, and HOME Funds from City of Las Vegas and Clark County. Though funding is available for qualifying projects each year, it is an extremely competitive process, with stringent requirements for the developer to meet, not only during construction, but over the life of the project—a commitment that can be up to 50 years,” states Marina Adamy of GGI.
“Even with the economic downturn, we have a track record of producing successful senior housing over the course of 20 years, and we have made the commitment to develop and build. We have been successful in educating residents and the jurisdiction to the need and the quality affordable housing can represent,” says Adamy of the effect that the recession has had on affordable housing in Las Vegas.
McKnight II—
Construction Progress!
Presently, construction is well under way and by end of November, the building will be nearing 50% completion. HOME Fund Agreements have now been executed by both the City of Las Vegas and Clark County jurisdictions.
McKnight III—Tax Credit Reservation!
The third and final phase of McKnight Senior Village received a reservation for tax credits from Nevada Housing Division’s QAP 2009 round. This will allow construction to begin in early 2010, with a delivery date of another 24 two-bedroom units in 2011.
What’s Developing… By George Gekakis, President - Interior Design and Senior Housing
Particular criteria must be considered when designing an attractive as well as comfortable environment for senior housing communities. Material selections and color choice are extremely important in creating a sense of well-being and comfort, a setting that is hassle-free and enjoyable for its residents.
“All furniture and furnishings need to be chosen with ease of use and quality of life in mind,” states Jeri Sipherd of HPA Design Group, Dallas, TX, interior designer for our McKnight Senior Village II development. Ms. Sipherd specializes in creating beautiful as well as functional space for the multi-family industry, including senior housing.
“The importance of color and fabric pattern can help to create a sense of community, and accent paints and themed artwork gives personality and ambience to a development,” she reminds.
Over the long haul, the wearability and stain resistance of fabrics keep the development looking new and appealing. Furniture must be selected for its comfort height and arm support to assist with better physical mobility.
In the right environment, residents feel uplifted and empowered, and this reassurance promotes more participation. Seniors want privacy, but need and enjoy interaction with others, especially in their home environment.
Well-lit spaces gain additional importance as eyes age, and enough space to get around effortlessly with wheelchairs or walkers is essential. Ergonomic features including lever style door handles, grab bars in showers, easily reachable electrical outlets as well as flooring that prevents tripping all promote confidence and enhance life.
Our environment has a profound effect on our physical and mental well-being. Even as early as the 1920’s, color therapy, or Chromatherapy, had been employed to treat ailments with color and light.
More research reveals that lack of light and sun can lead to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), yet when people are surrounded by pleasing color schemes, they feel restored. Though color does not heal, it can promote an environment that is revitalizing, and helps us to see the world through “rose colored” glasses!
Food Distribution at our Senior Properties
Over 12-13% of the population of Southern Nevada is age 65 or over, with over 8% living below the poverty level. According to the 2009 US Department of Health and Human Resource, the poverty level is defined as an annual income of no more than $10,830 for an individual, and $14,570 for two living in the same household.
With the rising cost of living, many seniors on fixed incomes are forced to choose between their health and medication costs, and food. In trying to help alleviate this serious, and dangerous problem, we have instituted food distribution programs at our senior properties with the help of our non-profit sponsor, Silver State Housing.
Currently McKnight Senior Village is receiving weekly food distributions of donated food. Apartment manager, Angel Rivera, states, “We are currently receiving between 1500 to 3000 pounds of food every Friday afternoon. We are sharing our delivery with residents from Sunrise Senior Village, and also Help of LV Veterans across the street. To say that this donation is a success would be an understatement!”
The food provided includes bakery goods, produce, dairy, non-perishable products and ready-to-eat meals. “Residents help unload, organize the tables, and assist with clean up. Everyone pitches in!” says Rivera.
At Whispering Palms Apartments, a variety of produce, fruits and meat are provided on a weekly basis, as well as dairy and baked goods. “Bi-weekly, we receive baked goods that are shared with Sonoma Palms, Sunrise and McKnight,” says property manager, Jackie Frey. The property also purchases sundries and other personal items that seniors need. “We also receive surprise deliveries all the time from friends who want to help!” Jackie happily states.
“Sonoma Palms receives weekly food deliveries which includes milk, fruit and meats. Silver State Housing’s efforts have helped make these donations possible,” states manager Karen Varney, “and of course, we share our extras with our other properties. No one goes hungry!”
GGI is doing its part to combat hunger, and give its seniors a better quality of life.
