Construction set to start in spring on Harrison senior living development

Construction on a $10 million senior independent living facility in Harrison will start by May, the project’s developer said.

Harrison’s planning commission gave final approval for the development plans for Riverview Senior Living at the former Highlands School District administration building on 11th Avenue.

Work will take about 14 months to complete, said Andrew Haines, executive vice president of Gatesburg Road Development of State College.

It includes construction of a three-story addition doubling the existing building’s size.

Haines said work will start after the developers finalize the project’s financing and get building permits.

“We don’t foresee any problems,” he said.

State officials announced in July the project was getting $719,000 in tax credits. Haines said there is an investor lined up to buy those credits, in addition to several other funding sources, including a conventional mortgage and construction loan.

Built in 1930, the building had been Riverview Elementary School until closing in 1980.

It was later converted to house Highlands’ administrative offices.

It’s been empty since the district moved its offices out and then sold the building in early 2015.

Gatesburg’s proposal first went to Harrison commissioners in November 2018. Commissioners approved the use.

“It’s not easy to rebuild schools,” Haines said. “It took us two years to get financing. It’s not an easy process.”

When complete, the building will have 30 units for people 62 or older. In addition to an age requirement, residents will have to earn no more than 60% of the Allegheny County area median income to live there.

That would put the limit at about $35,030, based on the county’s median household income of $58,383, according to the U.S. Census.

With construction expected to be finished in July 2021, Haines said developers cannot legally start leasing until January 2021.

Those interested in getting on a waiting list can do so by leaving their name and number at 814-272-8950. Haines said those who call will get put on the list and called back in chronological order.

“We have a lot of people interested in the apartments,” he said. “Seniors really want to find apartments that are affordable, decent and quality. It’s going to fill up.”

Haines said a third-party property manager, NDC Management, will manage the building.

A day care in a separate building on the property will remain, Haines said.