An old show folks’ home
Ben Godar
In addition to the usual turn of the shovels, Wednesday’s
groundbreaking ceremony for the Burbank Senior Artists Colony will
showcase everything from mural painting to musical performances by
seniors.
The ceremony is in line with the atmosphere developers are hoping
to create at the 141-unit facility, which is intended to serve as a
haven for retirees from the entertainment industry and other creative
backgrounds. Workers have already begun leveling the ground at the
corner of San Fernando Road and Verdugo Avenue, where the project
will be located, and officials hope the facility will be ready to
open by spring.
Among the amenities planned for the facility are a 40-seat
theater, video and film editing bays, and a painting studio.
Developer Meta Housing Corporation has partnered with the nonprofit
group More Than Housing for Seniors to offer the additional
activities and services. Meta Housing specializes in constructing and
managing senior housing, and spokeswoman Nancy Morris said the
company believes an important part of any such project is providing
residents opportunities to stay active.
In Burbank, the Artists Colony seemed a good way to do that,
Morris said.
“So many seniors in the community are retired actors, film
producers or crafts people -- it just seemed to fit,” she said.
Community Development Director Sue Georgino said in addition to
benefiting its residents, she hopes the project will benefit the
surrounding neighborhood.
“This is the first big project in the San Fernando Road area,” she
said. “We hope it will kick-start a lot of other development in the
area.”
The groundbreaking is scheduled to take place at 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday and will also feature a variety of demonstrations by senior
artists.