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| Woodland Hills Estates Opens Its Doors |
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| News - Osawatomie | |||
| Written by Brandon Steinert | |||
| Wednesday, 15 July 2009 07:00 | |||
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Woodland Hills Estates senior living center opened its doors more than a week ago in Osawatomie and already has filled six of its 22 two-bedroom units. The facility’s developer, Ron Dean, said the building was intended to house elderly residents who can no longer climb stairs or maintain homes and yards.  All the units are handicapped-accessible, and two are fully equipped for the handicapped, Dean said. They have lower countertops and light switches and several features designed for people in wheelchairs. Resident Louise Kern said everything has been made easy for her. “When they say it’s for disabled people, well, it’s just perfect,” she said. “I have arthritis, so (the apartment) is just wonderful — everything in here is just wonderful.” She said the best part about the building is its handicapped-friendly nature and the fact that it’s new. She said she has lived in several older apartments before and is excited to live in a brand-new building. The entire complex is ENERGY STAR-rated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, which means it’s designed to be energy efficient and environmentally friendly. “We went to greater lengths with different kinds of insulation and air conditioners to heat and cool for the lowest cost,” Dean said. City Manager Bret Glendening said energy efficiency is a smart goal that will benefit more than just the environment. “The price of energy is only going to go up,” he said. “So the more efficient those buildings can be, the more money that can stay in the tenants’ pockets.” Woodland Hills is not a traditional retirement center, since there are no additional services provided for tenants, but the facility does include a community activity area where residents are encouraged to participate in social activities, including card games and potluck dinners. “We try to make it a real close-knit interactive community,” Dean said. “From a mental standpoint, it’s good for the tenants. They watch out for each other and interact with each other quite a bit.” He said Osawatomie has an aging population with housing needs that are not being met by the few units already available in town, and he’s optimistic that the remaining 16 units at Woodland Hills will be occupied in about two months. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be scheduled soon.
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