For information contact
Margaret Belanger, CSJ: 952-255-9647, mmbel@aol.com
or Ann L. Thompson, CSJ communications director, 651-592-3900, athompson@csjstpaul.org
Facility conceptual rendering available as .jpg upon request
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St. Paul City Council approves $30 million in funding
for Carondelet Village construction in St. Paul
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2009, ST. PAUL, MN - The St. Paul City Council approved $30 million in bond funding, on December 2, 2009, for construction of Carondelet Village in the Highland Park area of St. Paul. The project, a senior living and health facility, is a collaboration between the St. Paul Province of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet (CSJ) and Presbyterian Homes & Services and will be located on the CSJ grounds at the corner of Randolph and Fairview Avenues in St. Paul.
“We are pleased that City Council has approved the bonding,” explains Sister Margaret Belanger, CSJ, who is serving as project manager for the sisters. “This is an important step towards securing the funding necessary to complete Carondelet Village, which is a result of the Sisters’ commitment to ‘meet the needs of the neighbor.’”
The CSJs began focusing on this project in 2005. At that time, they were facing the realization that Bethany Convent, a health and retirement facility for Sisters of St. Joseph, was structurally outdated and could not be renovated. To consider their options, a group of sisters visited senior care facilities throughout the country. “What we discovered is a changing model for senior care,” said Sister Belanger. They completed a market study that suggested there was a significant and growing need for senior care in the Highland Park area. “Our focus is on providing person-centered care in a home setting that, ultimately, is healthier and less costly,” said Belanger. “Our desire is to provide an environment where common spaces, including various dining options, promote companionship, creativity, and intellectual stimulation, with ample private areas that encourage small group gatherings.”
Carondelet Village will offer a continuum of senior living and care options, which includes 149 independent living units, 45 assisted living units, 19 assisted memory care units, and 45 skilled care beds. Plans also include a 55,000 square foot Integrated Services Center that will provide wellness and holistic services with opportunities for medical services, spiritual and educational development, physical and recreation therapy. Sister Meg Gillespie, a member of the CSJ leadership team said, “We anticipate that the services available to residents at the Integrated Service Center will also be available to the greater Highland Park community.”
Allen Black, developer with Senior Housing Partner, a subsidiary of Presbyterian Homes & Services said, “Carondelet Village will provide housing and care for the sisters and the broader community. The plans for the 400,000 square foot building are approved and we plan to break ground this March with initial occupancy in 2011.”
Information and updates regarding this project are available on the Sisters of St. Josephs’ website at www.csjstpaul.org.
The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet are a Roman Catholic community of women religious who are animated by the Spirit of Jesus to reach out in compassion and justice to meet the needs of our times. Founded in south-central France in 1650, they came to St. Paul in 1851 at the invitation of Archbishop Joseph Cretin. They currently maintain ministries in the areas of spirituality, education, healthcare, social services, creative arts and advocacy for change.
Presbyterian Homes & Services, based in St. Paul, Minnesota, is a non-profit, faith-based organization committed to providing a broad array of high quality housing choices, care, and service options for older adults. Last year they served more than 11,000 individuals within 34 communities throughout the Minneapolis/St. Paul area of Minnesota, in Wisconsin, and Iowa. Since 1955, when its first community was built, Presbyterian Homes has steadily gained a reputation for being an innovative leader concerned with promoting the independence, vitality and well-being of those they serve. For more information, go to www.preshomes.org.
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