Senior housing expands

It's no secret that senior citizens are flocking to Las Vegas. They're attracted to the weather (no snow to shovel) and the amenities.

As a card-carrying member of AARP, I can testify to the benefits of being part of the over-55 crowd in a 24-hour city: good hospitals, pharmacies open 24-7, available doctors, educational opportunities, reasonably priced restaurants and cheap buffets.

Seniors also have a gamut of housing choices. Here are some examples:

--Traditional neighborhoods, where there are families and children of all ages -- not to mention barking dogs of all ages.

--Carefree apartment complexes, owned by nice-guy Ken Templeton, for those who would rather rent in an age-restricted setting.

--The Sun City developments in Summerlin, MacDonald Ranch and Anthem, which offer duplex or detached housing priced from reasonable to really steep. Siena, also in Summerlin, offers similar age-restricted homes in a country club setting.

--Las Ventanas, a life-care facility to be built in Summerlin, will offer a senior lifestyle that ranges from independent living to assisted living.

That brings me to the Robert Gordon Senior Plaza, which recently underwent a $1 million face-lift.

The 250-unit complex at Bonanza Road and Maryland Parkway is owned by the city of Las Vegas and operated by the Las Vegas Housing Authority.

The 18-month renovation included new air-conditioning units for each apartment, re-roofing of all buildings, stucco refinishing and repainting, street resurfacing and repair, and the installation of security lighting.

Residents of the plaza are seniors who are struggling to maintain an independent lifestyle on a small budget. So, they really appreciated the changes to their homes and neighborhood.

A gathering in July brought out the neighbors and bureaucrats involved with the renovation. Everyone met in a newly opened clubhouse to hear remarks from officials before a barbecue lunch.

Fortunately, the remarks were brief, although numerous. It was the fitting ending to a worthy project and everyone wanted an opportunity to cite the involvement of his or her particular agency.

The federal Department of Housing and Urban Development provided the funding for this project, which is one of many to benefit from the influx of federal funds to the Las Vegas Valley.

The most interesting speakers were those neighbors who had pressed the city to make the upgrades to the plaza. These speakers talked about the need they presented to the City Council and the cooperation they received from councilmen Gary Reese and Lawrence Weekly, as well as Mayor Oscar Goodman.

Needless to say, there's a waiting list of needy seniors for occupancy in the Robert Gordon Senior Plaza. The upside is such a project exists -- and it's in good shape.

Las Vegas truly is the mecca for seniors -- of all sizes, shapes and lifestyles.

Carmel Hopkins, Real Estate Product Manager for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Las Vegas Sun, can be reached at 380-4574. Her e-mail address is Carmel_Hopkins@lasvegasnewspapers.com. Snail mail is P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125.

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