52-unit building for those age 62 and older
By Arelia Jones
For the St. Louis American
At New Northside Village, the residents are still settling into their new homes, but plans are in the works to make it a real community.
New Northside Village, an independent senior living apartment building, was completed in July and opened August 1 of last year. The building is located at 2054 Nemnich Road, near the intersection of Lucas and Hunt Road and Halls Ferry Road, in an unincorporated area of North St. Louis County. The 52-unit building houses seniors aged 62 years and older.
Each apartment is one-bedroom, one bath and includes a living room and kitchen. The kitchens are equipped with a stove and refrigerator. Each unit has its own heating and air conditioning and is cable-ready. Residents must use key cards to enter the building.
There is an on-site laundry facility and a community room, where many residents gather to watch television. The community room opens to a back patio and is available for residents to reserve for private or open gatherings.
An exercise room is planned. Parks and recreation centers are also available in nearby Jennings, Bellefontaine Neighbors, and other cities. The new Buzz Westfall Center is less than two miles south.
Rent is based on 30 percent of adjusted net income, allowing for medical deductions. There is an upper income limit of $23,050 for one person and $26,350 for two people. All utilities are included.
Though New Northside Village is an independent living facility, there are residents who use in-home care services. The St. Louis-based Kingdom House agency is in the process of bringing the Senior Companion Program, which provides company for the elderly, to the facility as early as next month. Each unit has pull cords which ring in the main office in case of emergencies. There are spacious hallways throughout the building, and all units are handicap-accessible, some with wheelchair-accessible showers.
Community Administrator Barbara Jackson, 59, who lives on the property, is excited about her first management role. “I had the opportunity to select the furniture and everything,” she said proudly.
Jackson and the residents are quickly moving towards building a sense of community. There is already weekly bible study at the facility, held by Cephas Christian Church, 9825 Halls Ferry Road. Jackson said she enjoys working with and getting to know the residents, and they often accompany her on trips for shopping and errands.
Resident Ruth Rattler, 76, moved in mid-October. She and other residents recently used the community room to organize a Christmas party for the building. Jackson is encouraging the residents to hold more group activities. Both women say the activities promote unity and allow the residents a chance to invite their friends and families to visit. Having the “community plan the party is a way of getting the residents involved in oneness,” says Rattler.
The facility is named for New Northside Baptist Church at 8645 Goodfellow Boulevard and managed by Volunteers of America, a non-profit organization which provides various service programs. The regional managers are Paul Coleman and Mary Hillsman.
To arrange a visit to New Northside Village, contact Barbara Jackson at 314-869-9700, or stop in at the office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
