Bloomington Senior Housing Development

Bloomington city council just approved a new Applewood Pointe Senior Cooperative, much to the chagrin of surrounding neighbors. The new senior housing will be built on what is currently church land-a grassy knoll smack dab in the middle of single family homes. The land is currently zoned for  single family homes. The city of Bloomington has rezoned the patch of land for a high-density multi-family four-story structure.

When I first heard about this story and Bloomington residents putting up a fight against new senior housing, I thought "Wow, there's a great example of ageism." Upon further examination, I realized I wouldn't want a 4 story building built right behind my house either. I got a kick out of the comments that the Minneapolis Star and Tribune article generated.

There's clearly an increasing need for ownership opportunities for aging Baby Boomers and younger active seniors. But how do we find a way to answer the need without disrupting existing residential communities?

• Land locked first ring suburbs such as Bloomington must find a solution to the increasing need of senior housing, and fit it into the needs and expectations of existing residents.
• City leaders would do well to examine current vacancy rates in existing senior housing prior to approving large projects such as Applewood Pointe. As a Realtor, I can site a number of examples of condominium projects that have gone belly-up over the last couple of years. Without an understanding of the increasing vacancy rates in existing senior housing, there is the danger of overbuilding and leaving communities with half-built condominium buildings. The promise of increased property taxes over time unfortunately overshadow the caution required.
• City leaders would also be wise to consider the effect of property values of near by homes. Perhaps town hall meetings where residents concerns are heard are not enough. Perhaps a new county valuation of property values and adjusted property taxes as incentives would help gain resident buy-in on these large projects.
• The bottom line for developers is THEIR bottom line. The developer is going to keep the consumers who have put a down payment on a new unit happy, but the developer will not be particularly interested in the happiness of existing residents. City leaders are responsible to ensure existing home values are effected as little as possible, and that the type of senior housing being developed is sustainable over the long-term.

I hope the Bloomington City Council thought through some of the more important long term ramifications of this Applewood Pointe development:

• Will younger baby boomers find these large developments appealing?
• If not, what will the city do with this large development they've plopped right in the middle of a neighborhood of single family homes?
• Would a smaller senior housing community be more appealing to up and coming baby boomers?
• Would a smaller housing community hold greater potential for alternative uses if baby boomers reject this type of housing long term? 

Comments

[Bloomington Boomer]

As 30 yr Bloomington residents my husband and I watched the council and planning meetings on this issue. I don't argue that large structures always impact nearby homes. However, I would like to point out that this building would not be plopped down smack dab in the middle of single family neighborhood. This location is right on the edge of commercial properties on Penn and apartment/townhomes on American Blvd. and single family homes to the south and west. Also, I beleive the Applewood developments offer what is as close to "affordable" condo living as you can get. The development failures you speak of...at least in Bloomington...were mostly for upscale-expensive units. Our 80 something neighbors have twice put deposits down for new units in developments at 106th & Lyndale and elsewhere and they've both fallen thru. They have decided to stay put in their home after all. At any rate, it's clear that "affordable"housing for seniors will be in increasing demand and this spot is on the edge of single family homes and commercial/shopping area. I think it's pretty darn ideal. Would I like it right next door? It depends..if an empty plot of land has to be developed I can think of many worse projects to go there. I would like to know that if and when the time comes I would not have to be on a years long waiting list for the few places I could afford. Yes, ideally we would all like small buildings...lots of green space...no traffic. But, that's not economic reality and it's not going to be any time soon. That being said, I want to thank you for writing this unique blog. I find it very interesting and informative. I hope you continue to inform and give us your valuable insight. Thanks.

[Lisa Dunn]

There's no doubt that affordable housing for seniors is already in high demand. As was mentioned in the article, Applewood already has a number of units sold. Another testement to the need is other Subsidized housing in Minneapolis has long waiting lists. As you pointed out, when it's time for you to move,it's nice to be able to do so on your own timeline and not have to wait if you don't want to! Applewood cooperatives are lovely communities, and there are certainly worse uses for a a plot of land!

When I read articles about this topic I could certainly understand the neighbor's point of view that didn't want a large building built right behind them. I'm not sure what the answer is. How do we satisfy the need of our aging population in the first ring suburbs while not disrupting well established neighborhoods? It's clear compromises will need to be made by both the developers and neighboring communities. Afterall, communities that are able to pave a path for safe, affordable and desirable senior housing communities have a lot to gain!