WILLSBORO — Life will be coming back to the old Willsboro School as the Champlain Valley Senior Community.
A USDA Business and Industry Loan guarantee of about $6 million through the American Recovery Act has allowed local developer Eli Schwartzberg to find financing for the project.
"It's so great to finally get this project financed," he said. "It will be a wonderful place for senior citizens in the Adirondacks to call home."
ROOMS WITH A VIEW
Plans for the historic 1927 structure call for a 62-room assisted-living facility for senior citizens that will feature amenities such as a kitchen with cafeteria, beauty salon, craft room, chapel and library, and recreational facilities. The rooms, with 80 percent of them offering a view of the Boquet River, will feature 14-foot high ceilings, large windows and original hardwood floors that will be preserved through the renovation process.
Environmental and energy-saving considerations are a part of the plan, with insulation in the walls and roof, energy-efficient lighting and a pellet boiler.
2011 OPENING EYED
The first step will be the removal of old flooring and some partitions, though Schwartzberg anticipates 85 percent of the walls will remain.
Since most of the work is interior, construction can continue throughout the winter.
The renovations will take a year to complete, with an anticipated opening in December 2011, he said.
jobs
In addition to filling a need for affordable senior-citizen housing, the facility will bring about 30 full-time jobs to the community, which has seen a decline in employment opportunities during the past few years.
"We're saving this beautiful building, which has served three generations, as well as providing a non-polluting, socially acceptable business to the Adirondacks," Schwartzberg said.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Little activity has taken place at the school in recent years, aside from maintenance and raising the flag. It has been the site of firefighter training and was used as a location in the locally produced film "Fish Ladder."
For the most part, the hallowed halls have remained silent.
Locals are making plenty of happy noise now.
"I think it's a great opportunity, and I think Eli will succeed," said Willsboro Town Council member Steve Benway.
"This project is a positive addition to our community not only for the seniors but perhaps to allow for other families to settle here.
"It's also a good thing that the school will be used for something, rather than have it sit there and deteriorate."
Councilor Nancy Huestis echoed Benway's sentiments.
"From the town's point of view, it couldn't be better, especially for the economic impact it will have. It's so much better than seeing the old school rotting there. We also need more affordable housing for our senior citizens.
"I'm so thrilled that this young man (Schwartzberg) has been able to get this together. He has worked his butt off."
CONVENIENT SITE
Schwartzberg, born and raised in Saranac Lake, owns and operates Stonebrook Properties L.L.C.
"There is no place I'd rather pursue my career than the Adirondack Park," he said.
"There has been extremely strong interest from seniors from all over the region. We expect it to fill up very quickly." Town Council member Charlie Lustig called it a "great project. It has pluses all around. It would have been a large expense to the community to tear down the Old School. We not only create employment, but it enhances the appearance of everything."
Mike Conway, executive director of the Adirondack Economic Development Corp., has worked side by side with Schwartzberg in obtaining financing.
"This is an adaptive re-use of a key historical structure," Conway said. "It's the type of project for which we want to lend our support. It has a functional use, which will be a benefit to the community. When I first met with Eli a year ago, it was apparent to me that this was the type of entrepreneur we want to assist in the Adirondacks."
HISTORIC SITE
The property, which includes the 42,000-square-foot building as well as nine acres in two parcels, is located on School Street, which borders the Boquet riverfront. Commercial, social, medical and historical amenities are all within a short distance, which adds to the practicality of having a senior-living facility located at the site. Additionally, it is adjacent to Nature Conservancy land and thus affords nearby natural beauty.
The structure has also been added to the National Register of Historic Places, which will help with tax credits for the renovation.
"The project has been a large undertaking, and we are confident that the benefits will be well worth the effort," Schwartzberg said.
"Once complete, the community will be one of the most modern and attractive senior-housing communities in the Adirondack Park. It's been like climbing a tall mountain, but we're getting there."
E-mail Alvin Reiner at:
rondackrambler@yahoo.com
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