Senior living facility eyed for Willsboro

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March 13, 2008

<a href="mailto:areiner@pressrepublican.com">By ALVIN REINER</a> The Press Republican Thu Mar 13, 2008, 11:52 AM EDT

WILLSBORO — A developer recently gave Willsboro School Board more details about his plans for the old school building.

Eli Schwartzberg of Stonebrook Properties said that after conducting a market study to ascertain the most viable usage for the property, he plans a “moderately priced” continued-care, senior-living facility.

Schwartzberg informed the board that extensive systems, environmental and structural studies have been completed.

He is now in the process of figuring out what would be best for the structure, its grounds and the community.

The property, which includes the 42,000-square-foot building and nine acres on two parcels, is located on School Street, which borders the Boquet riverfront.

Additionally, it is adjacent to Nature Conservancy land and thus affords nearby natural beauty.

Commercial, social, medical and historical amenities are all within a short distance, which add to the practicality of having a senior-living facility at the site.

“It does not make sense that senior citizens should have to move out of the North Country to a new community once they are no longer capable of living independently,” Schwartzberg said in a news release.

“I want to provide a community where a senior’s friends, aids and surroundings do not change just because they face new life challenges.”

Willsboro School Superintendent Steve Broadwell said Schwartzberg “has been excellent to work with throughout this process of assessment and analysis of the viability of the project. He has a real vision for the future of the community, and the project has very exciting possibilities for Willsboro, Essex and all of the surrounding towns.”

Schwartzberg indicated that a public meeting will be held, but no time or place has been designated.

“This is going to be a very challenging and expensive project,” he said. “The school is at a critical point where something needs to be done soon or it will be beyond the point of repair.”

Schwartzberg encourages anyone with an interest in the project to contact him at info@stonebrookproperties.net or leave a message at 536-9007.