Sunwest Management Inc., a Salem, Ore., senior-housing management company with holdings in 25 states, has submitted site plans to the city of Post Falls for a proposed $14 million senior-housing complex.


The development would include a two-story, 43,000-square-foot assisted-living facility, 32 independent-living units included in seven four-unit structures and two duplexes, and a 4,300-square-foot common building, says Steven Bae, a project manager for Sunwest.


We will probably employ about 30 people when we open, but that number could jump to as high as 80 as our census picks up, says Bae. We anticipate it will take about two years after we open to get the buildings filled up.


The complex, to be called The River Pines Senior Living Community, would be constructed on about 8 acres of land just southeast of the intersection of Cecil Road and 12th Avenue, says Bae. He anticipates work on the project will begin early this summer and take about one year to complete.


Sunwest representatives and Post Falls officials met earlier this month, and no hurdles arose then that would delay the start of the project, says Mary Beth Cole, permit technician for the city of Post Falls.


Bae says Sunwest uses its own contracting company, KDA Construction Inc., of Salem, to build or remodel the facilities it owns.


Last August, Sunwest acquired the 54-unit Parkway Village assisted-living facility at 3708 E. 57th, south of Spokane, and its negotiating to buy another senior-housing facility here, says Bae, declining to elaborate.


We are always searching for, and keeping our eyes open to find good markets, says Bae.


The 32 independent-living units at River Pines each would have about 1,300 square feet of living space. Rae says the seniors who lease them would be offered one meal a day, housekeeping services, and maintenance services.


Bae says the large assisted-living structure is designed to include 96 assisted-living units and 16 memory-care units, and would be built in the shape of an H, with its entrance facing Cecil.


The common building would be constructed near the middle of the development site and would include kitchen and dining space, plus additional room for social gatherings, Bae says. A courtyard would be constructed between the common building and the assisted-living building.


The complex was designed by Nelson Structural Engineering Co., of Eau Claire, Wis.


Sunwest, which launched in 1991, says it employs more than 7,000 people, and manages some 13,000 residential units in more than 170 senior-housing developments. The company manages 20 such properties in Washington state, third most among the 25 states in which it has holdings. The company doesnt disclose revenue figures.


Contact Rocky Wilson at (509) 344-1264 or via e-mail at rockyw@spokanejournal.com.