BY JENNIFER FARNSWORTH
Saratoga County is on its way to getting
another assisted living facility.
Bonacio Construction Inc. is in the process
of converting the St. John Neumann
Residence, a former retirement home for
priests, into an 85-apartment facility for
age 55 and older seniors.
Bonacio purchased the 11.2 acres at
233 Lake Ave. in Saratoga Springs. The
company plans to add two buildings to the
existing property.
Larry Novik, director of business development
for the firm, said the company
has worked with neighboring residents
to ensure that they are satisfied with
the planned preservation of the existing
property.
“We really are not touching the front of the building, the facade will remain basically
the same. It really was a priority,’
said Novik.
Novik said they have worked to meet the
increasing need for assisted facilities, while
preserving a building with rich history.
Novik said the building, built in 1886, has
an immense amount of character that he
would not want to change or destroy.
“Right now, we are just waiting for several
permits from the city to be completed”
before starting construction said Novik.
Bonacio Construction is working with LA
Group architecture and engineering firm,
which Novik said has also done a careful job
preserving the character and quality of not
just the building, but the surrounding land.
The project has a special use permit to operate as senior housing in the city’s UR-1
District. Novik said the City Council has
been supportive of the project.
The age of the building has caused some
concern with asbestos and mold. But Novik
said those issues have been addressed at
the cost of about $600,000.
The total cost of the project, including
additions, is estimated at $12 million.
Novik said the assisted living facility
will be able to offer one-, two-, and three-bedroom
units.
“Between the primary building and the
two additional buildings,the residence will
be comparable to other existing assisted
living residencies,” said Novik.
Novik said it is hoped the facility could
open in spring of 2015.