Senior housing will be the ninth City of Warsaw Stellar Community project. The city will assist a private developer in constructing a subsidized senior housing complex. According to information from the city’s building and planning department, “National statistics show the population is aging, and locally we are experiencing a high demand for affordable senior housing in a community setting. This new private infill development would give seniors in the neighborhood a chance to stay where they are comfortable, in a home that accommodates their needs and desires. With this opportunity, Warsaw can stay vital by capitalizing on this growing market of community members.” The goals are to: • Provide diversity in housing choices with infill development. • Build 60 to 65 affordable units, which complement the city’s goals. • Translates to a $6.5 million private investment. • Provides for healthy aging in place lifestyle. • Increase vitality of the neighborhood with an increase in population. Indiana will designate its 2016 Stellar Communities Aug. 18 at the state fair, and the City of Warsaw is one of three finalists vying for the honor in its category. To inform the local community about the proposed projects the city has in mind as part of the Stellar Community Program, and to gather input, Warsaw has created a Facebook page under “Warsaw + Winona Lake A Stellar Connection.” Each week, for the last four weeks, the Facebook page has detailed two of the proposals, which also were published in the Times-Union. First Friday On July 1 will go “Stellar” and move from downtown to parks along East Market Street. There will be demonstrations of some Stellar Projects, including a spray pad, downtown bike trail, STEM robotics and 3D printing. Visit the Stellar stations, get your passport stamped, and enter the drawing for an iPad mini and gift cards. At 2 p.m., Krebs Trailhead Park on Market will have bike repairs, story time and Lego® builds. Then at 4 p.m., Ker Park on Market will have cookies and canvas, face painting and more. Finally, from 5 to 9 p.m., Fribley Field will feature hands-on in the wetlands, relaxing on the beach and a community mural. The Colts in Motion bus will be at Fribley field, along with the regular First Friday partners.
