Local facility looks to expand
Prestwick Chase plans to add 213 units
GREENFIELD, N.Y. » Initially approved to add 284 units to its facility, Prestwick Chase has changed course and is now looking to add 213 units.
In 2014, the town of Greenfield approved the expansion, but Fred McNeary Jr., Prestwick’s chief executive officer and property manager, decided against the expansion.
“[I] didn’t feel good about it,” said McNeary Jr. “I sat there and thought, there’s got to be more to senior housing than this.”
Mcneary thought to senior communities down south. His original approved plan called for 152 units of eight-unit, two-story buildings, one six-unit building and 126 units of seven-unit, threestory buildings.
He wanted something more. He
wanted a “true community.”
Prestwick Chase opened over 20 years ago with a goal in mind to serve residents ages 55 and above, rather than provide a need.
McNeary said it’s always been about the service, which is why the food is high-end and the community has a liquor license.
When the independent living facility first opened, the residents weren’t necessarily active. Over the years, however, that has changed. McNeary explained how active the community remains.
The new proposed expansion keeps that in mind. The expansion calls for 213 units, and includes eight cottage units, 88 units of eight two-story buildings, which will be more of a town house style, and 117 units of single family to give the community a “true neighborhood” feeling.
The single family will mostly be two floors, with most of living on the first floor. The second floor calls for storage space and spare bedrooms for when family comes to visit.
There are 128 acres at Prestwick Chase. A couple years ago residents told McNeary they wanted trails in the woods, so trails were made. But McNeary determined seniors walking in the woods might not be the best idea.
“So the whole idea of this senior community, this neighborhood is to give roadways where everybody can walk,” said McNeary. “They will walk by their neighbors.”
Each house will have a front porch. Some will have attached garages, others will have detached garages with alleyways behind them. There will be white picket fences, a tree line and sidewalk.
Additionally, the plan calls for a pool and a community center clubhouse.
Currently, the facility as 178 apartments. There are about 200 residents, between spouses living together.
McNeary said he feels really good about the expansion. It’s supposed to go before the town board soon.
“We’re passionate about what we do as far as senior housing. We’re not in to just be a developer and ‘Let’s rent some apartments,’” said McNeary. “We would have probably been much better off possibly doing 284 units, especially if we were going to flip it and sell it. We’re family-owned and operated.”