Plans for the LGBT-friendly senior apartment facility are forging ahead on schedule.
Mayor Michael Nutter will officiate a “topping-off” ceremony, as the final major piece of the structure is installed by crane, at 1 p.m. June 5 at the site, 249-257 S. 13th St.
The John C. Anderson Apartments have been spearheaded by the Dr. Magnus Hirschfeld Fund and Pennrose Properties. The apartment complex will be one of the nation’s largest publicly funded LGBT facilities and one of just a handful of senior-living facilities designed for LGBT residents.
Construction began on the $19.5-million property, which is supported by city, state and federal funding, in November.
DmhFund president and PGN publisher Mark Segal said the project is on track.
“We’re on schedule and on budget,” he said. “If things continue as we expect, we will finish completion and have our occupancy by Dec. 31 of this year.”
Segal said residents are expected to start moving there in January.
The building will be home to 56 one-bedroom apartments for residents 62 and over. Each apartment will be 650 square feet, and all will be outfitted with modern conveniences such as dishwashers.
Six of the units are handicap-accessible, and a portion of the apartments will be designated for low-income residents.
A rental office will open at the William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St., in late August.
Segal said organizers will announce a series of information sessions to explain the application process closer to the opening of the rental office. Backers of the project will have a table at the June 9 Pride festivities where interested parties can sign up to receive information about the rental office and the learning sessions.
The application process is expected to start in September.
In addition to the residences, the facility will also have 1,700 square feet of commercial space. A tenant has not yet been obtained.
Organizers are also in the process of identifying a building manager.
“The position is for someone who has experience in building management, who knows how to work with seniors and who knows the LGBT community,” Segal said.
The building, which Segal noted is environmentally green, will also boast one of the largest private courtyards in the city, a roof deck and a community room for use by area organizations.