An update on and a resolution for a planned $20.8 million retirement village were the main orders of business at Tuesday’s Union City Council meeting.
Council voted unanimously to approve a resolution required by the South Carolina Jobs-Economic Development Authority (JEDA) for the public announcement of the bonds received by Cardinal Real Estate for a project that includes the development of the Seasons of Care Retirement Community at Union Village.
In a related matter, Cardinal CEO and Union native Garrick Good spoke to the council, giving an update of progress so far.
“Things are already moving with the project,” Good said, estimating approximately $20.8 million to be spent on the construction in Union.
SCRC at Union Village — located on the old Union Mill property — will be a 114-unit facility and will provide housing for 192 senior citizens, assisted living, a nursing home, independent living, a child development center and other support services as defined by Medicare, Medicaid and the US Veterans Administration. The facility will offer care for seniors at any “season” or level of need.
Cardinal has also released statements saying the facility will redefine senior living with plans which include an indoor pool, park with ornamental and working gardens, community center, childcare center, adult daycare, retail and commercial space, professional medical services and space for existing Union social services.
Good told the council signage will be placed on and around the property on April 30 to announce the project itself, contatct information and the Web site — www.cardinalcommunities.org — which went up this week. The Web site will soon feature information about jobs and updates on the project’s status.
Good also mentioned that a job fair will be held later this month or early next month, and although no jobs will be available in 2011, Cardinal will announce plans and what people can do to prepare for employment at the facility. Training will be made available through Spartanburg Community College.
“Proper care is something that is very important to us, and that is something that is very high priority in our training, which is why we have started the process,” Good said.
An announcement was made last year that SCRC at Union Village will guarantee 100 jobs in Union, with the possibility of 50 additional part-time positions.
“There are people who are interested in sub-contracting opportunities,” Good said. “We plan to hold a fair for those potential vendors as well.”
He added that an announcement will be made to let vendors know how they can become part of the bid process as well as put their credentials on file via the the Web site.
According to Good, a groundbreaking ceremony is expected for sometime after April 30.
The facility will generate $1.3 million in revenue for the City of Union over the next 14 years. Even though Cardinal Real Estate Group is a nonprofit organization and will not pay taxes on the property, the group will make payments to the city over the next 14 years through tax increment financing — beginning with a $50,000 payment in 2011. Then, from 2012-2023, the group will make an annual payment of $100,000. The final payment of $50,000 will be paid in 2024.
By Derik Vanderford, Staff Reporter with The Union Daily Times
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