SALT LAKE CITY -- Older citizens in Sugar House have something to celebrate Friday, as developers continue their plans to make the city even more senior friendly.
In reality, it was a double celebration of sorts as one project celebrated a grand opening, and another was just getting underway with a ground breaking. It's all part of an ongoing, long-term plan for the community.
It was a big day in Sugar House, as ground was broken for Legacy Village, a 268-unit senior living complex. The new facility is phase two of the Sugar House mixed-use development project. Salt Lake City Councilman Stan Penfold said the project will add to the already senior-friendly area.
“One of the great components of this housing project is now people will be able to live in Sugar House when they reach that age where they may need a little assistance in their senior living,” he said.
And just across the street, there was another celebration--also with the older adult in mind. There was a ribbon cutting signaling the official grand opening of phase one: the newly completed Wilmington Flats, which houses 105 urban apartments and luxury townhomes as well as 100,000 square feet of office and retail space.
“You want to have it so it’s a very accessible environment to the parks and other amenities that already exist right here,” said Jeffrey K. Woodbury of the Woodbury Corporation.
The Sugar House mixed use development project is in close proximity to Sugar House Park, Interstate 80, public transit, and a wide variety of shopping and dining options. The 162-year-old neighborhood of Sugar House has long been considered one of the more desirable places to live in the Salt Lake Valley, due in large part to its pedestrian friendly layout--especially for those seniors who have long called Sugar House home.
“To be kind of in a historic part of Salt Lake City where many of these seniors grew up, so they don't have to leave their community,” said Paul Fairholm of Western States Lodging and Management. “So they can live where they, where they've lived all their lives and be a part of this community.”
The completion of Legacy Village is projected to be in early 2017, and developers said, after that, there is even more to come.
“This is just the next phase in a whole series of projects, so we’ll be looking at redeveloping the entire Sugar House shopping area,” Penfold said. “So we hope to see a lot more housing and more retail. And one of the great things about this neighborhood is they're really focused on local--local businesses and people who live locally.”
