Developer Outlines Plans For 90-unit Senior Home at 50th and Chowen

If you have a question for developer Jay Jensen about his planned senior community at the corner of 50th and Chowen, he's probably got an answer for you.

Will Fulton residents endure weeks of hammering as crews drive pilings to support the four-story, 90-unit structure? No, Jensen said—his design will use geopiers instead to anchor the foundation.

How will the development deal with stormwater in a part of Fulton notorious for flooding? Much of the development's stormwater will be managed on-site, Jensen said, in accordance with the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District regulations.

Can Jensen use a different, better-looking design for the kitchen's exhaust fans? Jensen said he will look into hiding the bulbous, silver machines.

These questions from neighbors and the answers they brought came from Thursday night's meeting of the Fulton Neighborhood Association.

One of the few things Jensen couldn't answer was a point of criticism from Fulton resident John Finlayson for using  to help pay for the project. Finlayson serves on the Neighborhood and Community Engagement Commission, but wasn't speaking for the commission.

"That property is still generating some property tax dollars," Finlayson said. "Our property taxes have gone through the roof, and you propose to take it off the tax rolls for 20 years?"

Jensen noted that the TIF money would only cover about half the costs of providing affordable housing units, and his company would eat the other half. Finlayson replied, "I think you can eat all of it."

Developers behind Waters Senior Living On 50th, as the project is being called, will submit their application to the city for a conditional use permit this week.

Jensen cited a market analysis projecting a demand for 263 units for various levels of assisted living. Employees and residents would park in a 60-space underground garage and 10 above-ground spaces tucked between the development and the

Jensen's company owns and operates 14 senior assisted living facilities in Minnesota and has three more under construction.