“Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things.” — Andy Dufresne in “The Shawshank Redemption.”
WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Hope is coming to Fellowship Community.
Groundbreaking was held Friday for Hope, the name of the first of a three-phase development expansion on a 7-acre parcel at the faith-based senior living community.
Each of the three buildings will consist of 24 units of one- and two-bedroom apartments for independent living seniors.
Construction on the Hope apartment building will begin in January and is expected to take a year to complete, officials said.
Construction on the second and third buildings will immediately follow and be built simultaneously.
"So as these residents age in place and their health needs change over time, they may need a higher level of care. Then they can move into our personal care buildings or our skilled nursing center.”Mary Kay McMahon, president/CEO, Fellowship Community
A virtual groundbreaking was held just outside Zentz Community Center, several hundred yards from the development site, with participants turning over soil from a long flower-type box.
“These apartments are purely for active adults, still in good health and enjoying retirement,” Fellowship Community Chief Executive Officer Mary Kay McMahon said.
“But we are a continuing care retirement community. So as these residents age in place and their health needs change over time, they may need a higher level of care.
"Then they can move into our personal care buildings or our skilled nursing center.”
'Opportunity to build new relationships'
The groundbreaking program included remarks by Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong and state Rep. Jeanne McNeill, D-Lehigh, as well as representatives from Benchmark Construction and RLPS Architects.
The Suites will combine modern, spacious independent living apartments with smart home tech, customizable finishes, clubrooms, and enhanced amenities such as a maker's space and theater.
They aim to meet high demand and offer a higher-end lifestyle with maintenance-free living and access to all campus services, including care, officials said.
Apartment options include 1-bedroom plus den; 2-bedroom; and 2-bedroom plus den floor plans.
“We’re here to celebrate the expansion of Fellowship Community,” Benchmark Vice President of Senior Living
Kevin Kegarise said.
“This is an opportunity to build new relationships with current and new residents.”
The 72-unit expansion increases the total number of apartments at Fellowship Community to 223.
“Our independent living units are always full,” McMahon said. “We have a long wait list, and we have many people that are coming here that want to live on the campus.
“So the board did a strategic planning session to see if there was an opportunity for us to grow. We purchased this parcel that’s contiguous to use that gave us a ton of opportunities.”
