Senior housing proposed for Wheeling's Milwaukee Avenue

More than one-third of Wheeling residents are over age 55 and in a few years, they won't have anywhere to live unless they stay in their own homes.

That's where Joshua Wilmoth, area manager of Full Circle Communities Inc., of Northbrook, comes in.

Wilmoth wants to build a five-story, nonprofit senior living center and he wants the village to donate $2 million worth of land on South Milwaukee Avenue to house the facility.

"This is not Section 8 housing," Wilmoth told Wheeling trustees on Monday. "It's affordable living that would provide a great gateway to southern Wheeling."

Village trustees didn't officially vote on the project on Monday, but many did say they supported the general concept.

The building would feature 100 units for people 62 years and older on about three acres of land in the 600 and 700 blocks of South Milwaukee Avenue. Rent for a one-bedroom unit would be between $320 and $725 per month. Rent for a two-bedroom unit would be between $380 and $850 per month, Wilmoth said.

The first floor of the five-story building would be an indoor parking garage. Each room would have a private balcony and each floor would have private laundry and community rooms. If approved, construction would start in 2011 with residents moving in during the summer of 2012.

Preference would be given to Wheeling residents and parents of Wheeling residents, Wilmoth said. That setup may be legally tricky to work out, said Village Attorney James Ferolo.

"Does that mean the developer would keep some units vacant for Wheeling residents? I doubt it," Ferolo said. "I don't know how this would all work out legally but I think it can be done. It would be a unique setup."

Wheeling village officials have been trying to clean up the site for years.

In 2000, it was declared a tax increment financing district. Shortly after, village officials started buying up the smaller parcels, which mostly housed automotive stores, said Peter Vadopalas, director of economic development.

"We would have preferred restaurants or retail there, but that site is a challenge," Vadopalas said. "But clearly there is a demand for this type of housing in the village."

The problem is the site doesn't have enough parking and is on a flood plain, he said.

One person who has some issues with the project is Wheeling Fire Chief Keith MacIsaac.

According to MacIsaac, Wilmoth's facility would overburden the fire department with emergency calls and ambulance trips to the hospital.

"This would have a very strong adverse impact to the fire department," he said. "It will further tax a department already affected by a downturn in the economy."

It will probably be four to six months before the developer returns to the village board looking for final approval, Vadopalas said.

That gives the village enough time to figure out a plan for emergency services, said Village President Judy Abruscato.

"We're talking about a 2012 opening, which gives us a chance to increase the fire department to prepare," she said at Monday's meeting.

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