Renovations begin at Vista Aliso

Nadia Babayi, executive director of Laguna Beach Seniors, hopes the upcoming renovation at the Vista Aliso senior living complex will encourage more seniors to use the Susi Q Senior Center.

The property’s owner, National Church Residences, started work on the exterior of Vista Aliso’s seven buildings, part of a larger $1.24 million renovation that includes adding a restroom to the common area, roof and window replacements, and kitchen and bathroom renovations in each of the complex’s 71 tenant units.

Vista Aliso is one of seven California properties owned by Columbus, Ohio-based National Church Residences.

Exterior renovations, such as replacing roof portions and windows, have started and will be completed by June, said Steve Bodkin, the company’s senior vice president and chief operating officer of housing. Crews will then upgrade the laundry room and office in the common area.

Individual unit remodels will start in July and be done by October. The company will also pay for tree and hedge plantings to give residents privacy, and add some new patios.

Tenants will not need to move out during renovation but will not be able to use their kitchens for a couple of days and their bathrooms for several hours, Bodkin said. He said the property owner will provide meals during the kitchen improvements, which will include new cabinets, countertops, floors and ranges, and offer the use of refrigerators.

Bathrooms will have new vanity areas, exhaust fans and floors.

The improvements have been a long time coming. The common area restroom is especially needed, Bodkin said.

“Imagine doing laundry [in the common room] and walking clear back to your room to use the restroom?” Bodkin said. “We felt Vista Aliso needed a major renovation.”

Residents will have shuttle service available to and from the Susi Q, 380 Third St., during renovation, Babayi said.