Legacy at Mills River: Plans for community for seniors revived

April 28-- Apr. 28--Plans for a continuing care retirement community spread across 112 acres in Mills River have been revived.

Legacy at Mills River would operate with an "equity model," meaning future residents would own their homes outright. The land rests between Butler Bridge, Valley View and Jeffress roads.

Continuing care communities are regulated by the N.C. Department of Insurance. The state requires the developer to pre-sell 50 percent of the homes of phase one before ground can be broken.

Phase one contains 210 units, meaning 105 will need to be pre-sold.

The overall project includes freestanding estate homes, village homes similar to duplexes, and apartment-style manor homes. More than 300 units are proposed to be completed in multiple phases.

Sixty-percent of phase one will be apartment-style homes. Penthouses are also available. Homeowners can choose from various floor plans and customize the details of their homes.

Prices range from $400,000 to $1.2 million. Refunded reservations, which are a 10-percent down payment on the total cost of selected unit, are now being accepted. The grounds will include several amenities, including a swimming pool and fitness center, along with health care services.

The plan was originally approved by the Mills River Town Council in July 2008. But the project was delayed by the recession, according to David Ammons, CEO of Retirement Living Associates and the developer/operations manager of Legacy. The goal was to bring the project back when the housing market had stabilized.

Town officials are planning to meet with the developer in the next few weeks to discuss the project, according to Town Planner Brian Burgess.

"We will be coordinating with the town of Mills River regarding our previously approved plans. Construction is not scheduled to begin for at least 12 months, which provides sufficient time for discussions," the Legacy team said in a statement issued through media spokesperson Gabrielle Costello.

The development got the final green light from the state about a week ago, according to Elizabeth Ford, director of marketing for Legacy.

The design center for Legacy, where potential homeowners can learn and see more details, is located at 582 Jeffress Road in Mills River. Go to www.legacyatmillsriver.com for more information or call 828-696-1554.

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