Patio Homes in Ithaca to accommodate retiring Boomers

By Cassandra Palmyra / ithaca.com

Patio Homes, the duplex houses south of Longview on South Hill are due to be completed this month. There are 22 units in the project and as of late October 19 had been leased. “We saw the need for more independent senior living,” said Kerry Barnes of Longview. “Baby Boomers want something different; they don’t want to be congregated. But as someone’s needs increase they can move through the levels of care.” The Longview staff conducted a series of three focus groups to ascertain what sort of design elements were desired by potential residents. This information helped Schopfer Architects, a Syracuse firm, to shape the project.

The duplex development on Rt. 96B is part of Longview; residents can avail themselves of most of the facilities that open to other residents, including the partnership with Ithaca College. “As their participation in activities increases,” said Barnes, “a Patio resident may move into Longview because they are already a member of the community.” Patio residents, she said, are given priority over the general public for a place at Longview.

The duplexes are rented, not purchased, and come with a one-year lease. The monthly rent is $2,100 and includes all utilities and the Longview services. According to Barnes, rent increases will be small and residents will always be given 60 days notice.

The site of the small development has been carved out of a second-growth forest and some groups of good-sized maples and oaks have been preserved, especially near the entrance to the cluster of houses. Asphalt sidewalks wind through the neighborhood and lead to the banks of mailboxes. There is also easy access to the nature trail that goes down South Hill behind Longview.

The ranch-style buildings are faced with field stone around the front doors, giving them a substantial air. Although they are joined to their neighbors, the shared wall is at the garage and the back wall of the bathroom, insuring the maximum amount of privacy.

The floor plans are designed with the elderly in mind. They are entirely on one level, and all the doorways and walkways are wheelchair-accessible and the bathrooms have walk-in shower units. The interiors are carpeted throughout. You must be at least 55 years old to move into the Patio Homes.

Each unit has a gas-fired furnace and is warmed with forced hot air. Central air-conditioning is also installed in all the homes, as is a washer and dryer.

All the maintenance—mowing and plowing—is done by Longview staff. Residents are welcome to maintain their own gardens, but it is not required. The stick-built homes are situated on a mild slope, which adds to the privacy in spite of their close proximity to one another.

The last Longview expansion was the garden-level enhanced-assisted living facility, which was completed in 2011. Ground was broken for Patio Homes in early spring of this year, and they should be ready to move into in December.

Longview already owned the land, so no zoning changes were required to build this relatively high-density housing. The construction of duplex home communities adjacent to senior citizen facilities like Longview is a trend in the elderly care business, according to Barnes. “We have an eye on the Baby Boomers,” she said. “They can maintain their independence while having security. They’ve changed everything they’ve touched.” Not all people who have signed leases are Baby Boomers though. Ages of new residents range from 60 to 90.