Plans Approved for Ecumen-Managed Senior Living Community Near Cleveland Clinic in Avon, Ohio

Ecumen is teaming up once again with senior housing developer Edward Rose and Sons on a new community near the Cleveland Clinic in Avon, Ohio, that will have 175 units for independent and assisted living and memory care.

The Avon Planning Commission this week approved the development plans, and construction could start as early as October.

Dena Meyer, Ecumen director of business development, said talks are underway with the Cleveland Clinic to develop health care partnerships with the new community.

Michigan-based developer Edward Rose and Sons is currently partnering with Ecumen on Heritage at Irene Woods in Memphis, Tenn., and Rose Senior Living in Clinton Township, Mich. 

The Avon Chronicle-Telegram covered the story on the new Ohio development, which is reprinted below:

Avon OKs plans for senior living center

Filed on August 21, 2014 by Jon Wysochanski

AVON — Construction of a senior living facility along Nagel Road near the Cleveland Clinic could begin in October, officials said.

The Planning Commission Wednesday night approved general development plans for Michigan-based Edward Rose Properties to construct a 189,314-square-foot, three-story senior living facility on 32 acres.

Phase 1 of the project calls for construction of a three-story, 175-unit building consisting of memory care, independent and assisted living wings, while Phase 2 of the project includes the construction of 76 congregate care town homes.

According to Paul Mott, Edward Rose and Sons director of asset acquisition, when completed the facility will offer 80 full-time jobs. Mott said the entire project will cost $30 million to $34 million.

Ground could be broken for Phase 1 of the project in October, he said, with both phases being complete in less than two years.

Mott said the Rose Senior Living facility will consist of a variety of structures connected to common areas. There will be chapels, exercise rooms and dining areas, he said.

There will be raised garden beds outdoors for residents who enjoy gardening, an outdoor dining patio, golf putting greens, bocce ball, horseshoe pits and a dog park for residents with pets.

Dena Meyer, director of business development for Ecumen, a partner company who will run the day-to-day operations of the facility, said Rose Senior Living values the “aging in place philosophy.” Seniors can take advantage of transportation services, meals and help with household activities, she said.

“Residents can move in independently, and as they age or need assistance, they can stay within the community,” she said. “Generally Rose Senior Living can take care of a resident through the end of life.”

Meyer said the facility also is working on developing and nurturing partnerships with the Cleveland Clinic for hospice care and doctor visits.

Mott said most residents living in the facility will not require full-time nursing care, but residents who do have memory problems associated with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia will be able to take advantage of living in a secure and monitored area.

“This is not a nursing home, but it is something people can come to just prior to going to a nursing home,” Mott said.

Mott said Edward Rose and Sons did a market study and determined Avon and the surrounding areas have a significant need for this type of facility.

Mayor Bryan Jensen said the project is a perfect fit for the entire health campus being developed near the Cleveland Clinic.

“They’ve definitely done their homework because this is going to be a needed facility,” Jensen said. “This is not the nursing or care facility of our parents’ generation, and I think people embrace this kind of living now.”

Contact Jon Wysochanski at 329-7123 or jwysochanski@chroniclet.com. Follow him on Twitter @JonWysochanski.