Supportive living center approved in Round Lake Beach

Another of several supportive living services approved by the state for Lake County has received the local go-ahead in Round Lake Beach.

The village board has OK'd the final development plan for Oak Hill, a 94-unit complex on Rollins Road west of Orchard Lane. It ends a process that began nearly three years ago.

The $20 million project is a partnership between the Crown Group Inc. of Hoffman Estates and Pathway Senior Living LLC of Des Plaines, which operates 10 supportive living facilities in and around Chicago.

Pathway also is a partner in Victory Centre of Vernon Hills, which is under construction.

“This one is termed a supportive living facility, which means there isn't a level of health care provided. It's more a community living environment,” said Jon Wildenberg, director of economic development.

Crown, a commercial development firm, has other projects in the village and owns the Regal Cinemas near the planned Oak Hill project. The company planned to develop a shopping center on the site about 10 years ago, according to Craig Whitehead, executive vice president.

“This is the first time we've done a residential component,” he said. Pathway will operate the facility, which is billed as an alternative to a nursing home for seniors 65 or older, or younger persons with disabilities who can't live safely in their own homes and need help with bathing, dressing and medication management, for example. Skilled nursing care is not provided.

“It's affordable housing basically with a twist,” Whitehead said. “The way this becomes affordable is because the federal government and state government have a tax credit program.”

The cost to build the facility will be about $6 million, with the rest of the funding coming from the sale of low-income housing tax credits, he added. The credits make the construction cost feasible for developers.

Rents will be in the $400 to $500 per month range, according to Whitehead. Associated services, activities and amenities, including three meals a day, will increase the tab to about $3,000 per month. Medicaid and Medicare can be used to help pay the fees.

This project was among 18 approved last year by the state, including ones in Antioch, Gurnee, Grayslake, Lake Zurich and Vernon Hills in Lake County. A similar type of facility is operating in Zion, about 10 miles east of Round Lake Beach, Whitehead said.

“This really was spurred by the state saying, ‘We think there will be demand,'” according to Wildenberg.

Whitehead said there still are some details to wrap up with the Lake County Division of Transportation, but he expects groundbreaking this year with the opening in late 2012.

Housing: Opening of complex slated for late 2012