By BETTY LAWRENCE
blawrence@dailystandard.com
FORT RECOVERY — A new retirement community is being
built in Fort Recovery, and the owners have plans for a second
development in Coldwater.
Nature’s Villa, which is being called an “active
independent retirement community,” will include 22 condominiums
in Fort Recovery for people age 55 and older. Plans for the
Coldwater development show 26 condos.
The business, called Nature’s Villa, Inc., is the brainchild
of owners Jerry and Lorri Kaup, Mark and Lucie Pohl and Luke
and Lynn Kahlig, all of Fort Recovery. The Kaups also operate
Kaup Pharmacy in Fort Recovery, the Pohls own Creative Builders
of Fort Recovery, and Luke Kahlig is a Certified Public Accountant
and partner in Charles Bibler & Associates of Englewood.
The venture into the relatively new housing concept for the
area has been researched thoroughly by the owners, who said
they have been meeting weekly the past 18 months. They also
visited similar facilities throughout Ohio, discussed the idea
with Fort Recovery Village Administrator Randy Diller and surveyed
20-30 area residents about senior housing.
Results of the resident survey were a little surprising, the
owners said.
“No one wanted a basement, and that kind of surprised
us. They don’t want steps of any kind. They want everything
on one floor,” Jerry Kaup said. “Basically, they
want three things. A new building that they own, no maintenance
and they want it to be affordable.”
The one-story brick condominiums will be built in duplex and
triplex buildings and will be owned by the tenants.
“People still enjoy owning their own home and they want
a nice place to live,” Luke Kahlig added.
In Fort Recovery, construction of a duplex and triplex is underway
at the 2.4-acre plot, located at the site of the old Fort Recovery
elementary school on South Wayne Street. One of the units will
have a community room attached with a basement in case of inclement
weather.
In Coldwater, residents will be surveyed before construction
begins on a 3.3-acre plot located off Betty Lane. In addition
to the 26 condominiums planned for that community, there also
will be a community room with basement.
“Just as we did in Fort Recovery, we talked to the village
manager (Eric Thomas) about building in Coldwater and got a
favorable reaction,” Lucie Pohl said.
The condominiums are for sale now in both locations. In Fort
Recovery, residents may move in sometime in May, and in Coldwater,
the residents can expect to live there the winter of 2004-2005.
All homes will be “senior engineered,” the developers
said. There will be walk-in showers, raised commodes and vanities,
grab bars, nonskid bottoms in the showers and tubs, water temperature
control faucets and amplified lighting.
The homes will have covered front and rear patios, space for
private vegetable gardens for those who want to dig in the dirt
and a community English perennial garden that will be maintained
by a grounds keeper.
“This type of housing keeps people home longer, because
they are built specifically for the older person,” Lucie
Pohl said. “We want a mixture of people, especially the
active independent retired people. It really is a different
concept in housing. We’re so excited to bring this kind
of housing to Mercer County.”
People can choose a one- or two-bedroom unit, with or without
a garage. There are eight designs to choose from, ranging from
928 square feet to 1,270 square feet, plus garage.
Purchase prices range from $73,700 to $140,000, depending on
the size and features.
There is a monthly condominium fee, ranging from $150 to $365,
depending on the model. The monthly fee takes care of lawn care,
snow removal, landscaping upkeep, condominium insurance and
interior and exterior maintenance. Transportation, meals, coordination
of health services and social services also will be offered,
the developers said.
Nature’s Villa, Inc., will manage the business, with the
help of a local on-site manager at each location. The business
will be looking for a member of the community to live in one
of the condominiums and work part-time to coordinate activities.
Goals of the housing complexes, the owners said, is to give
retired people a no-maintenance home with the opportunity to
have personal healthcare and daily living services, all to help
them live independently as long as possible.
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