Published: June 09, 2006 11:02 pm      

Group considers opening retirement community

BEREA — Berea’s senior citizens may have a new option for their living needs in the not-so-distant future, and the community is pulling together to make it happen.

United Church Homes, a national not-for-profit retirement organization based out of Marion, OH, is surveying Berea residents as to whether they would be interested in the development of a retirement community in the city.

The group, an United Church of Christ affiliate, is “exploring the development of a residential community that provides an active senior lifestyle for residents, age 55+, set against the backdrop of a collegiate campus.” The group runs eight retirement facilities in Ohio and Indiana, and more than 60 residential facilities for seniors in multiple states.

“A little over three years ago we had a dialogue initiated in Berea, but the previous attempts hadn’t gone very far,” said Ron Beach, vice president of financial services for United Church Homes. “Since then, starting in October last year, there was a lot of renewed interest in developing something in Berea.”

Several community members have expressed interest in the project.

“We started with a few short surveys, but it’s snowballed since then,” Beach said. “The community has really stepped up to the plate.”

“I’m very interested in it,” said Berea City Council member Violet Farmer. “Several attempts have been made in the past as far as a retirement type community with health services, and this is another push in that direction, which I whole-heartedly support.”

A group of Berea residents met earlier this week to exchange ideas as to the feasibility of the project, as well as what kind of community would suit the city’s needs.

“It’s very needed in the community and it’s very much in demand,” Farmer said. “We have two nursing homes, but with these plans you would have individual accomodations, patio homes or apartment complexes for seniors who no longer are able or want to support a single-family dwelling. A lot of towns are offering this kind of teared service for seniors. It enables seniors to live independently and semi-independently much longer and more comfortably.”

Partial survey results have been collected, and they show many Bereans think the retirement community would be a move in the right direction.

“The results have not been compiled yet, but overall they seem very favorable,” Beach said.

Berea College also has been involved in the talks, and is supporting the planning efforts.

“Berea College has been very, very supportive,” Beach said. “They have identified some properties that they own that they would consider making available for this facility.”

“Our involvement is as a community member, but not a business partner,” said Bill Laramee, vice president for alumni and college relations. “We’re helping them find a suitable land and offering affordable or agreeable terms to make this project more feasible. We do see a possible need for such a community and want to encourage it in its exploration.”

An advisory committee is being formed in Berea to continue the feasibility study and planning process for the community. Surveys are still being accepted and can be picked up at Berea City Hall, Robie and Robie’s Bookstore on Chestnut Street, Ballinger’s IGA and Madison County Public Library on Harrison Road.

Joice Biazoto can be reached at jbiazoto@richmondregister.com or 624-6694.