Community Gardens Phase II Begins
Kapp Construction has started on the second phase of construction for Community Gardens senior housing project located in Springfield, Ohio. The first phase of the project, which was completed in 2018, provided 50, two-bedroom apartments for senior living. The second phase officially broke ground on September 13, 2022. The new phase will add 60 one-bedroom units to the existing development.
This project features the “Pocket Neighborhood” concept, which was used in the first phase and will continue in the second phase. “Pocket neighborhood” units are clustered groups of neighboring apartments gathered around a shared open space that has a clear sense of territory and shared stewardship. These are settings where nearby neighbors can easily know one another, and where empty nesters and single householders with farflung families can find friendship or a helping hand nearby.
The design of the project has been carefully considered. These communities are not isolated to themselves—like a gated community—but connect and contribute to the character and life of the surrounding neighborhood. Cars and traffic do not invade the shared pedestrian space, and the active rooms of the homes—including front porches—face the commons rather than turning their back to neighbors. The result is a layering of public to private space, and careful placement of windows to ensure privacy for each dwelling. The senior living units are fully accessible, have attached garages, and acres of interconnected walking paths.
This phase is split between two sites: 32 units will be built north of the existing site where Schaeffer Middle School once stood. Another 28 units and a community center will be constructed on the remaining space of the original site where Community Hospital once stood. All of the units will be single story, one-bedroom units with individual attached, single-car garages. The phase will include nine fully ADA accessible units and all the units will adhere to Energy Star guidelines. The project is expected to be completed in the Fall of 2023.
