A Seattle-based company is one step closer to building a 49-unit senior housing facility in Juneau. If successful, it would cater to a region’s housing market that’s been historically difficult for everyone, especially Southeast’s aging population.
Earlier this week, the Juneau Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for GMD Development, LLC. The majority of the beds in the proposed housing unit will be low-income affordable housing.
Assemblyman Loren Jones thinks it’s a positive step for the community.
“Where it’s at, it’s going to be next to the assisted living facility, so there’d be a senior complex there in the valley, and I think it’s very important for Juneau for that to take place,” Jones said.
The location of the site is off Clinton Drive, near Safeway. The non-profit Senior Citizens Support Services Inc. plans to build a 90-apartment, assisted-living facility in the same area.
Jones says the proposed housing project would help a market that really needs it.
“I have every anticipation there may yet be some construction work this fall, but I would suspect construction would hopefully start next spring,” Jones said.
A 2014 market study estimated that over the next 30 years, Juneau will need more than 300 additional beds to meet demand given city’s limited space.
