Cheney Care Center Association, which operates a retirement campus in Cheney that includes skilled-nursing and assisted-living facilities, has begun work on an independent-living complex there.


The $3.5 million project, which got under way last month, will include five structures with a total of 30 living units, 20 of which will be designated for low-income residents, says Keith Fauerso, executive director and administrator of the Cheney Care Center Association. To be called Sessions Village, the independent-living complex also will include a community center and walking trails, Fauerso says.


Each living unit will have between 650 square feet and 850 square feet of floor space, and the majority will have one bedroom and one bathroom.


The buildings are expected to be ready for occupancy by early next year.


James W. Elmer Construction Co., of Spokane, is constructing the complex and Zeck Butler Architects PS, of Spokane, designed it. Northwest Regional Facilitators, another Spokane nonprofit, is acting as the developer for Cheney Care Center.


The nonprofit Cheney Care Center Association currently owns and operates a 62-bed skilled nursing facility and a 28-unit assisted-living facility on its campus, which is located at 2219 N. Sixth. Sessions Village will be located south of the skilled-nursing center.


Sessions Village was part of the original plan for Cheney Care Center when it was established, says Fauerso. Its a culmination of 25 years of dreaming.


The nonprofit organization opened the skilled-nursing facility in 1979 and the assisted-living center in 1998, he says.


The project was delayed for about five months while Cheney Care Center waited for approval of a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The nonprofit is receiving the grant in return for offering 20 of the new complexs living units at lease rates tailored to very low income seniors, says Fauerso.


The state of Washingtons housing trust fund contributed about $1 million in grants and loans for the project, says Brian Royer, business development manager with Northwest Regional Facilitators. In addition to the HUD grant, the project has received grants from the city of Cheney and Spokane County. The nonprofit was able to secure tax-exempt bonds for the projects through Banner Bank and the Spokane Housing Authority.