The Village on Sage Street is such a large project that the main street runs within it, with 120 parking spaces and 14 street lights.
Those lights went on this Monday and power is being turned on to each of the eight buildings in the complex. Sewer and water are running, and the gas meters will be installed next week. Soon, the heaters and air conditioning systems will be turned on and tested, and the ADA modifications (7 bathrooms with showers and 14 bedrooms), will be complete. Paving, landscaping, and painting are on the schedule.
I am excited that we are much closer to opening!
Volunteers of America will soon be meeting with applicants to complete their applications and discuss move-in dates.
During the last 10 months of construction, about 300 people have signed up to move in. The Village on Sage Street will have room for 216 people initially. Volunteers of America are known mostly locally for operating the homeless shelter. Did you know that 90% of their operations, their core business, is low-income housing? They operate an apartment tower off Oddie Blvd for seniors and eight other affordable housing properties for hundreds of residents. Volunteers of America are well experienced in managing complexes similar to the Village on Sage Street and have been working diligently behind the scenes to launch a smooth and thorough start-up.
Arrangements have been finalized for Rounds Bakery to manage the food operation in the dining building.
Rounds Bakery operates 21 “stores” in the region, stocking not just their delicious and healthy fresh food, but also frozen foods, non-refrigerated foods, and other goods such as personal hygiene items and essentials like laundry detergent. Residents will be able to buy meals or just stock up on food and other supplies. The dining building will also feature common areas for computers use, playing games with friends, and watching a big-screen TV.
The recreation building is coming along nicely.
The post office approved installing 224 mailboxes inside, with daily mail delivery. Six coin-operated washers and dryers will be installed so residents can do their laundry on site, and the building will feature and an exercise area with treadmills, stair steppers, and other exercise equipment. The central area in the Recreation building has couches and a big screen TV for relaxing.
We will soon announce a grand opening celebration.
This $9 million bridge housing project would not be possible without dozens of key partners who have contributed land, cash, services, goods, extended credit, and volunteered countless hours. I am looking forward to the opportunity to recognize and thank the many members of the community who have made the Village on Sage Street a new affordable living option for hundreds of people living with low and extremely low income. 70% of the people who applied to move in work for a living; having a nice place to live on less than 30% of their income could be life-changing. We have received significant financial support but have about $2.5 million more to raise. If you are interested and would like to tour the Village on Sage Street during its final construction, please contact the Community Foundation at 775-333-5499.
Chris Askin, President and CEO