The residents of the recently opened Lakeview Terrace Senior Living Community in Boulder City, Nevada, were delighted late last month, to share their opinions of their new home with special guests Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, U.S. Senator Harry Reid, and Congresswoman Dina Titus, who were together at the facility to cut the ribbon at the grand opening ceremony. More than sixty attended.
Lakeview Terrace was celebrated by those present as a leading example of the effects of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Owner Gary Lanzen, in his welcoming remarks, shared that the financing to repurpose a former restaurant into the 66 unit independent and assisted living facility was progressing until the Wall Street credit crisis emerged. It was not until USDA Rural Development was included as a partner to guarantee the $7.1 Million loan made by First International Bank that the project could move forward. Fifty jobs were created during the construction period, and thirty-five permanent jobs will be associated with the facility when it is fully occupied.
The guests had an opportunity to tour the facility where most of the studio and one-bedroom apartments have views overlooking not only Lake Mead but also a park where Desert Big Horn sheep frequently come out of the mountains to graze. They also met with the owners, contractors, bank personnel, residents, and employees. All of the residents shared their enthusiasm for their new homes and their appreciation for the Lakeview Terrace staff. Audrey, a retired veteran, said she was simply sorry she had not had an opportunity to move there sooner. Vivian, Lakeview Terrace’s first resident, simply asked that we all return for lunch soon. We plan to.
