Retirement Community Planned Near Cal Lutheran University

THOUSAND OAKS-Continuing Life Communities has announced preliminary plans for University Village Thousand Oaks, a continuing-care retirement community for people 62 and older.

The new community will be located on 60 acres just north of California Lutheran University.

University Village will include single-story, freestanding villas featuring two and three bedrooms, fully equipped kitchens and attached garages.

The community will also offer one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments overlooking the central courtyard adjacent to the clubhouse, as well as garden terrace apartments: two- and three-bedroom residences set amidst walking trails and abundant landscaping.

A health care center offering skilled nursing, assisted living and Alzheimer's care will be located adjacent to University Village. The health care center will be open to University Village residents and the general public.

Conceptual designs for University Village were provided by the architectural firm of Van Tilburg Banvard & Soderbergh of Santa Monica.

The architectural design uses a Spanish colonial theme and natural rock outcroppings have been integrated into the design of the community.

A general contractor has not been selected; the construction start date is approximately 18 months away.

Richard D. Aschenbrenner, chief executive officer of Continuing Life Communities, said that University Village will be the first state-licensed continuing-care retirement community between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara.

The gate-guarded community will offer a comprehensive package of housing options, as well as services and amenities including fine dining geared toward healthy living.

Also included are assisted living and skilled nursing, if ever needed, in a continuing care program licensed by the state's Department of Social Services and Department of Health Services.

Currently, seniors living in the greater San Fernando Valley area must relocate to Santa Barbara or out of the valley in order to experience the full spectrum of care offered by a CCRC.

University Village has received approval from the California Department of Social Services Continuing Care Branch to accept fully refundable $1,000 priority reservation deposits, according to Aschenbrenner. The deposits allow future residents to obtain a priority position, based upon their sign-up date, for reserving the floor plan and residence location of their choice at University Village. Priority Reservation members are also entitled to pre-construction pricing. Marketing representatives at the information center are now accepting reservations.

Continuing Life Communities is an owner/operator of continuing care retirement communities in California, including the new, award-winning La Costa Glen community in Carlsbad.

City Takes Over Santa Fe Depot

FRESNO-Ater several years of negotiation with BNSF Railroad, Fresno has taken title of the downtown Santa Fe Depot.

The city now begins the process of renovating the historic structure located on Tulare Street just south of City Hall.

The original Santa Fe structure was built in 1899.

When completed, the building will again be used as the primary train depot for the city.

The project calls for the city to enter into an agreement with Amtrak to provide passenger service at the renovated facility.

The renovation design also calls for the addition of new, landscaped parking lots to be added both across the tracks and south of the existing depot. The lots will support rail passengers, near-by businesses and provide parking for new businesses moving into the area. There will be a total of 120 spaces for daily, overnight and short-term parking as well as seven spaces for passenger loading.

Construction is anticipated to finish in August.