Changing Aging

The Minneapolis Star Tribune had a nice article yesterday on Luther Park, a senior housing development that we are very excited to be part of in Sandpoint, Idaho.  The first project of its kind in Idaho, it’s a great example of collaboration among Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) partners to help people live for a lifetime in communities that they love.

First Lutheran Church of Sandpoint will be the owner of Luther Park which will be physically connected to First Lutheran Church.  Ecumen will develop and manage it.  The Mission Investment Fund of the ELCA is the primary financing partner, and Thrivent also contributed financing.  Pastor Dave Olson is the visionary behind the project and bringing the various ELCA partners together to make it a reality.

Below is the Star Tribune story:

Sandpoint, Idaho, has become one the most desirable retirement destinations for active seniors. At the base of the Selkirk Mountains and just south of the Canadian border it provides scenic beauty, outdoor recreation and an arts community.

Shoreview-based Ecumen, one of the country’s largest nonprofit senior housing services and development companies, was also attracted to the area.

It joined with First Lutheran Church of Sandpoint and other Evangelical Lutheran Church in America partners to break ground on Idaho’s first catered living senior housing development in Sandpoint.

Called Luther Park at Sandpoint, it will be connected to First Lutheran Church of Sandpoint and will open in November of 2008.

Ecumen’s development plans integrate independent living with a suite of assisted-living services on one site. The catered living design allows seniors to be as independent as possible in a community they were drawn to, while providing assisted-living and memory-care services when needed.

The apartments include one- and two-bedroom floor plans and common areas will include a grand fireplace gathering area, library and media center, community meeting rooms, a salon and barber shop and outdoor walking paths.