Ground broken for Franciscan Heights

Members of the future Franciscan Heights community and representatives from the Albany Diocese gathered at St. Anthony-on-the-Hudson Friary in Rensselaer on Sept. 14 to break ground for the Diocese's newest senior-housing community.

Franciscan Heights "comes after several years of planning and development," said Joseph Pofit, director of long-term care campuses and senior housing for diocesan Catholic Charities.

"We're very pleased," he added. "The Friars wanted something that takes advantage of the beauty of the particular site -- and serves the city [of Rensselaer]."

Construction will soon begin on the first phase of the complex, which will include 53 one- and two-bedroom independent-living apartments, and 32 cottages. Mr. Pofit estimates that those buildings will be completed in a year.

Most of the apartments and some cottages will be reserved for seniors who earn between $17,000 and $35,000 per year, with the remaining units earmarked for "people who can afford to pay a little bit more," he said.

According to Rev. Paul Lininger, OFM. Conv., subsequent phases will include an Alzheimer's unit and an assisted-living facility.

Benefits

"The Friars and the Diocese are both excited to see it move forward," said Father Lininger. "It is specifically designed for low- to moderate-income individuals, a niche that is underserved in the area. It will provide a great physical environment as well as a spiritual one -- and it will allow people to age in place, especially people of the city of Rensselaer."

He mentioned another benefit for Rensselaer: the housing's new sewer line, which will serve portions of Rensselaer's Wards 8 and 9 as well as the Heights residences.

In addition, Franciscan Heights is planning to lease property for the construction of a new firehouse.

Thinking old

According to Mr. Pofit, units will be constructed with seniors' needs in mind: amenities, such as laundry rooms, will be placed on all floors so residents do not need to climb stairs, and each units will include safety features and full handicapped accessibility.

A resident coordinator will live on-site, and the Franciscan friars will be present as chaplains and program helpers.

DePaul Housing Management, the diocesan senior-housing arm which already operates 14 similar buildings throughout the Diocese, will manage the site.

Religious touch

Franciscan Heights will incorporate the former seminary chapel into its campus; it will become the Franciscan Heights ecumenical worship and prayer site.

The project began when the Conventual Friars decided to put to use an unused portion of their property at the St. Anthony-on-the-Hudson retreat house, which they have owned since 1910.

The project has been funded in part by the Friars and by the Diocese. Franciscan Heights also has received a number of grants, including $235,000 from the Governor's Office for Small Cities. Other support was provided through the Rensselaer County Industrial Development Agency, the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation and the City of Rensselaer.

Waiting game

According to Mr. Pofit, more than 200 people are already on the waiting list for the property.

"Right now, we're just anxious to get it underway," he said. "We will move as quickly as possible. We're gearing up in terms of getting people interested and look forward to the other phases of the project."

(For more information, call DePaul Housing at 459-0813.)

(9/16/04)