Montclare Offers Chance for Independent Living

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by Lesley R. Chinn

While the Montclare Senior Residence Homes of Avalon Park is still under construction until early October, applications are still being accepted for those who want to become residents. Although 85 percent of the applications are coming from the 6th and 8th wards, other residents living in the city and in nearby suburbs are able to apply.

So far, 30 percent of the independentliving senior apartments which will be located at 1200 E. 78th Street, have been leased since the application process began in July, according to Andrea Rowell, Montclares leasing consultant, adding that tenants can start moving in by the end of September. We want to be 100 percent leased out [by December 31]. There are still plenty of opportunities available. We encourage people to take care of this now before the snow hits, Rowell stated.

Noting that the construction is 85 percent completed, Phillip Mappa, managing director for Montclare, said people are interested in seeing the finished product before they sign a lease. We think once everyone sees the kind of building that were constructing, we should have no problem leasing up the rest of the units, Mappa stated.

Rent starts at $366 for a studio apartment and in order to qualify, applicants must be on a low or fixedincome and be aged 55 and older. The current federal income limits range from approximately $8,250 to $31,680 for one person and $9,000 to $36,180 for two people. Its not a lot of residential opportunities out there for them [seniors] where they are living in a clean, safe environment. Thats what most of them are looking for, Rowell said.

If applicants sign a lease before September 30, they can take advantage of Montclares grand opening special offering two months free rent. Once applicants become new residents, they can enjoy the same amenities such as spacious closets; a complete kitchen with full-sized apartments; and services including a free shuttle van to local grocery stores and a barber and beauty shop like Montclares Senior Residences on 6650 W. Belden in the Galewood neighborhood on the citys West side. The folks are looking forward to moving in and they are happy to have a safe place to come to with the amenities that the place has, said Rowell, who often shows prospective tenants a DVD presentation of the Galewood site just so theyll have an idea of what the Avalon Park site has to offer.

Mappa added that all the high-end amenities are free of charge to the tenants. He also mentioned that tax credits provided help make these services possible, in addition to keeping the rent at a low cost.

Collin Regan, who is also a managing director at Montclare, mentioned that the Avalon Park site will be similar in structure to the Galewood site, which is about 335 units. Our plan is to have as many as 300 units on the property, Regan stated.

Community leaders including Eighth Ward Ald. Michelle Harris, members of the Chatham Business Association, and Citizen Newspapers previously met with the developers for the Montclare Senior Residences to discuss contracting opportunities. The CBA, where Bill Garth is Chairman, renegotiated contracts on the construction project to ensure more than 50 percent of Black community participation was reached. Garth, also Publisher and CEO of the Chicago Citizen Newspaper Group, made the announcement last spring.

The overall cost of the entire project is $60 million including $22 million for the first phase, according to Mappa.

An open house will be scheduled later this month at Montclares Avalon Park facility where the leasing office will be relocated. Applicants are encouraged to stop by Montclares leasing office at 8441 S. Cottage Grove. For additional information, call (773) 933-9000 or visit www.themontclare.com.

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