PORT TOWNSEND — Quimper Village, a co-housing unit for seniors — the only one of its kind in Jefferson County — has received its permits and the project is now seeking a bank loan for construction costs estimated at more than $9 million.
CEO David Hundhausen hopes to see the project break ground in the next three months, paving the way for completion in fall 2017.
“I feel terrific about this,” Hundhausen said.
“This is a grass-roots project initiated by community members and not something that will be built and then sold.”
After holding a Dec. 14 public hearing in Port Townsend City Council chambers, state Hearing Examiner Phil Olbrecht approved the 28-unit adult co-housing project Jan. 14.
The group is seeking a bank loan to cover construction costs, Hundhausen said, adding that two banks are currently considering it.
The loan would be paid back when the occupants pay for the houses, he said.
The development would be located on a 6.5-acre field on F Street about 100 yards east of San Juan Avenue.
The property is in a T-shape, including a narrower area where a road will be constructed lined by parking, garages, a garden shed and a workshop.
This will open into a wider area with a common building for group activities surrounded by 28 single-story homes ranging from 900 square feet to 1,300 square feet and sold in the $275,000 to $425,000 range.
Hundhausen said the idea began more than two years ago among a small group of friends who wanted an arrangement where they could maintain control over their lives rather than living in a corporate retirement community.
The project includes construction of a large common house and eight one-story condominiums that will house the living units.
Three contractors are under consideration to build the project, he said.
The three contractors under consideration are from out of town, as “there is no one in Port Townsend who can handle a project this big,” Hundhausen said.
Design and development costs have been covered by the group’s members.
Of the 28 planned houses, all but six have been sold, he said.
One member of the household must be 55 or older at purchase and, in order to be accepted into the group, share certain values and characteristics, group member Dennis Daneau said last year.
“We are a co-op, so we are allowed to turn someone away if we don’t think they’ll fit in,” he said.
“We don’t want people who aren’t willing to share, who always want to have their own tools.”
Quimper Village will not be an assisted living facility, although some residents will hire their own caregivers, Daneau said.
For more information, go to www.quimpervillage.com.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
