City hosts ribbon-cutting to celebrate the Village at New Seasons
(Editor's note: the following is from a City of Akron news release.)
The site at the corner of Vernon Odom Boulevard and Hawkins Avenue sat vacant for years, collecting trash and graffiti. Now, the space houses the Village at New Seasons, a new $11.4 million complex with senior living apartments, retail space and a health center.
The city recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the official opening of the development.
The more than 115,000-square-foot facility was developed through the combined efforts of the House of the Lord, who owns the land; the East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation; Testa Companies; and Summa Health System, among other investors.
"Projects such as this," said Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic, "are only possible with federal assistance. The current effort to further reduce Community Development Block Grant funding to cities, if successful, will make wonderful projects such as this all but impossible."
The residential space developed by East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation totals nearly 75,000 square feet and includes 50 one- and two-bedroom apartments for senior citizens. With 10 units currently rented, the affordable apartment units are move-in ready, according to the city.
The 40,000 square feet of commercial space, which was created and is partially owned by Testa Companies, will include retailers and a health center anchored by Summa Health System. Construction of the commercial area will begin in the near future and will open later this year. Half of the square footage has already been spoken for, including Summa and four other tenants.
"It's so wonderful that we're all working together to better our community and really make an impact on the city of Akron," said Bishop Joey Johnson, senior pastor at The House of the Lord, a 4,000-member non-denominational church. "I am extremely excited to be opening the Village at New Seasons today -- this project is going to change lives and change the community. Just you wait and see."
Each individual apartment has new appliances, including an electric range, refrigerator, dishwasher, disposal, air conditioning and large storage closet. The common areas offer laundry, a library, a fitness room and an outdoor greenhouse. The units range in size from 700 to 950 square feet and cost between $400 a month for a one-bedroom apartment to $690 for a two-bedroom apartment. The Village at New Seasons also has supportive services available to its residents such as meals, housekeeping, transportation, home health service referrals, activity programs and a resident association.
"There was a definite need for quality, affordable housing in the area, and we are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this important redevelopment activity," said Grady P. Appleton, executive director of the East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation. "The project will have a positive impact on the community through improvements to the real estate value and quality of life."
Additional amenities include a community dining room, rooftop greenhouse and two-story library, with handicap accessibility for 10 percent of the rooms.
In the coming months, the ground floor of the building complex will host retail tenants and a health center. "We've been very pleased with the response of potential commercial tenants looking at the new space," said Paul Testa, CEO of Testa Companies. "In my 44 years in this business, this may be the most interesting, collaborative and exciting project we've ever done. We're fully committed to this initiative and believe that it truly will change this neighborhood."
As the anchor tenant, Summa will open the 10,000-square-foot Summa Center for Minority Health and Health Disparities Solutions to provide primary care services, conduct community health education, and identify public health solutions through research, education and community partnerships. Under the leadership of Summa physicians Drs. E. Demond Scott and Teresa Myers, it also will include rooms for community programming and research on health disparities.
"We know there are health disparities in underserved populations, and we know there are barriers to accessing care, so let's stop talking about it and find solutions," said Steve Schmidt, interim president of the Summa Foundation. "We're doing something really different and exciting here -- we're providing the care and resources needed directly to the community and enabling people to take an active role in their own health. And we're not just here when you get sick; we're here to give you the tools and resources to help prevent diseases and the support you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle through opportunities like diabetes counseling sessions and cooking classes."
