Lincoln Lutheran plans small 'active adult' development

Lincoln Lutheran is proposing to build a small condominium development south of The Atrium on North Main Street designed expressly for "active adults," a new departure for the organization which already provides about 1,000 nursing home, independent living, assisted living and memory care facilities,

A marketing letter sent out to the 53402 zip code in Racine last weekend says Woodland Pointe will be located on North Main Street, two blocks south of 3 Mile Road, just south of Carlton Park. Plans are for a "quaint active adult community" with ranch-style, side-by-side condominiums -- just 14 in all. The aim is to "give the feeling of a single-family home nestled in a private neighborhood, yet with all the benefits of condo living."

Darlene Piszczek, Lincoln Lutheran's director of housing development, said, "The aging-friendly design will showcase Lincoln Lutheran's knowledge in this area. In addition, owners can benefit from services available through their association with Lincoln Lutheran."

The condos will feature two-bedrooms, optional sunrooms, full basements and two-car garages, and will range from 1,700 to 1,850 sq. ft. Pricing will be in the range of $300,000. In all, there will be seven buildings on a three-acre parcel at 3720 N. Main St. (Bay Pointe at the Atrium is at 3950 N. Main.) Lincoln Lutheran took its proposal to the City Plan Commission in January and received preliminary approval for the necessary zoning change. The plan will return to the Commission again for review of architectural elevations.

Piszczek said the development is a departure in many ways. First, "so many of these developments are big, massive. This will be very much a neighborhood community." And it's being constructed for active adults, 55 and older; "very independent people, who may have an association with Lincoln Lutheran down the road."

The homes will be "aging-friendly," she said, defining that to mean not-very-noticeable accommodations. "For example, there won't be six grab bars in the bathrooms, although the residents will know that it's been designed to handle that in the future if it's needed." Piszczek said she had expected a few responses this morning, "but my phone has been ringing off the hook already."