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.