A Pennsylvania-based company plans to complete a senior citizens’ independent living and assisted living facility nears Hunters Woods Village Center by the spring of next year.
The $72 million project — the first Virginia location for IntegraCare — aims to address the shortage of senior housing in the Reston area. Of the 210 housing units, 91 are for independent living, 80 are for assisted living and the remaining units are a combination of memory care and continuing care.
“This land was repurposed and purchased by a developer who did a significant amount of research to make sure that we were going to meet the cultural needs of the Reston community,” said Cissy Nickel, executive director of an IntegraCare location in Easton, Maryland. “We’re trying to create a mini-Reston within Reston.”
The community, called Hunter’s Woods at Trails Edge, is located on a 4.3-acre lot at 2222 Colts Neck Road, the former location of United Christian Parish. The county approved the project, which is being developed by Atlantic Realty, AEW Capital Management and IntegraCare, in 2007.
Nickel said the company sought to mirror programming available for other residents within its community, especially given the close proximity of Turquoise Nature Trail. The project includes several dining venues, a beauty shop, a barber shop, an art studio where instructional classes will be offered, a library, a computer laband a garden with vegetables, herbs and flowers. The community will also include what Nickel called “man caves” or separate areas for men and women.
An underground garage includes more than 160 parking spaces, in addition to eight surface parking spaces. Nickel said the development team is working with Reston Association and Reston Community Center to provide transportation to and from the organizations in order to allow seniors to attend classes, programs and events.
The company is still working on how it will lease market and affordable housing as the project nears completion. Twenty percent of the units are affordable, Nickel said. The income level served by the units was not immediately available. It is likely the company will lease the market and below market units in a rotating cycle.
“There’s a huge need in the area and obviously our need is going to exceed our availability. We’re going to have be really methodical about it,” Nickel said.
A temporary office and showroom will open in mid-to-late June in Hunters Woods Shopping Center to provide more information, she said. Individuals 62 years and older can qualify for housing.Â
Atlantic Realty Company did not respond to multiple requests for comment over several days from Reston Now.
Rendering by Moseley Architects
Home share, a nationwide housing program, is offered in just 16 states, according to the National Shared Housing Resource Center. The program, which allows individuals to exchange housing for help in the home, is coming to Fairfax County soon.
GraceFul Homeshare, a family-owned organization that offers in-home care for seniors and older adults with disabilities, is in the process of establishing a home share program for Herndon and Reston. The organization is currently seeking homeowners interested in participating, tenants and volunteers.
The system allows homeowners to offer accommodation to a homesharer who agreed to provide money and/or help with household tasks in exchange for housing. Advocates say home sharing is an efficient use of existing housing stock, helps preserve the fabric of the neighborhood and lessen the need for care services and long term institutional care.
Examples of homesharers include senior citizens, people with disabilities, working professional and individuals at risk of homelessness.
Interviews and background checks will take place before introductions are arranged. Each part will pay an application fee. If the application is accepted and a match is made, the homework will pay a fee for the service.
For more information about the program, email Dan Flavin at [email protected] for more information. GraceFul serves Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Arlington counties in Virginia, Maryland’s Montgomery County and surrounding areas.
Have a family heirloom, piece of art or an antique you think might be worth a fortune?
Reston Association’s biannual “Appraisal Roadshow,” a chance to uncover treasures already in your possession, is scheduled for Tuesday. Ashleigh Soloff, RA community events supervisor, said the event is always well-attended and there have been some big finds in the past.
“We had one woman who had a piece of jewelry estimated at $10,000,” Soloff said.
Experts from Peenstra Appraisals and Gouterman & Associates will examine items for authenticity and value during the “fun, educational and rewarding forum,” Soloff said. The event, for people 55 and over, will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday at Reston Association headquarters (12001 Sunrise Valley Drive). Cost to participate is $10.
For more information, email Soloff at [email protected].
Photos of previous Appraisal Roadshow event courtesy Reston Association
NV Rides Reston, a free transportation service for residents 55 and older, is still looking for volunteer drivers.
NV Rides partnered with Reston Community Center to launch the service here last spring.
Volunteer drivers provide door-to-door rides for essential needs such as medical or dental appointments, shopping, personal care and banking for seniors who are no longer comfortable driving.
The service area covers residents in the Small Tax District 5 boundaries of Reston. Volunteers self-select ride requests and may choose not to drive farther distances.
To volunteer, visit NV Rides on RCC’s website and download an application. They will pay for a DMV and background check. You can choose your own rides and hours.
