Calamar to build 110-unit senior housing facility - $6 million project

According to Calamar, the construction will begin on a new 110-unit senior housing facility. Calamar president Kenneth Franasiak said that the $6 million project, The Woodlands Senior Apartments, is located on Forest Pwy. in The Woodlands Corporate Center East, off Shawnee Rd. The two-story, brick and vinyl sided building will be an independent living residence for seniors over the age of 55. "There is a great need for this type of housing, not only in Wheatfield, but all of WNY," said Franasiak. "Presently, there is a seven-eleven year waiting list at existing facilities for affordable senior housing. This project will help to alleviate that. We wholeheartedly believe in creating affordable housing for the elderly. Currently, seniors are faced with either no appropriate housing choices or the extensive wait list." A recent report by the state controller indicates that by the year 2010, NYS will have an additional 3.3 million seniors and that the current senior housing supply is inadequate. The Woodlands Senior Apartments will be comprised of both one and two-bedroom units, and will house a fitness center. The project is owned and developed by Calamar and will be managed by People Inc. Calamar is dedicating over $30 million of capital investment over the next seven years, which will create a total of 350 units in the 26-acre Woodlands Senior Village and will generate over 30 jobs and create over $1 million in payroll. This project is the second of four senior housing facilities that are planned for The Woodlands Corporate Center East. Willow Housing, a People Inc. 50-unit senior housing project, is also currently under construction. Over 26 acres is dedicated to senior housing to accommodate this need. Woodlands Corporate Center opened in 2005 as a mixed-use business park comprised of 120 acres. The park includes commercial, industrial, office and flex facilities, as well as the senior housing element, and 34 residential patio homes bordering a six-acre man-made lake.