Construction started at senior apartment building using former Highlands school

Work has started on a $10 million, 30-unit senior independent living apartment building incorporating the former Highlands School District administration building in Harrison.

Earthwork is underway at what will be Riverview Senior Living on 11th Avenue. The building had been Riverview Elementary before housing district administration.

The project includes gutting and renovating the existing 90-year-old building and construction of a three-story addition doubling its size.

It will take 14 months to complete, said Andrew Haines, vice president of Gatesburg Road Development of State College.

Units should be ready in April 2022.

Construction is starting later than expected because of the covid-19 pandemic, Haines said. Poole Anderson Construction, a sister company to Gatesburg, is the general contractor and is hiring Pittsburgh-area subcontractors, he said.

The Harrison commissioners approved the use of the building for senior apartments in November 2018.

“It is exciting,” Commissioner Chuck Dizard said. “Having a nicely designed senior independent living apartment available to residents in the area is an important opportunity. Plus, it retains the historic Riverview School where many residents in the community have fond memories.

“Many residents have told me they have put in their applications and can’t wait until it is open,” he said. “This will make a major positive contribution to the neighborhood.”

To live at Riverview, tenants have to be at least 62 and under an annual income limit, which Haines said is now about $36,000.

It will have one- and two-bedroom units, with rents as low as $285, and some at $700 and $850.

“We spend a lot of time with the tenants finding out what their income is, what their needs are and putting them in units that are appropriate,” Haines said.

While Haines said they can’t sign leases until 90 days before work is complete, nearly 90 people have expressed interest and been placed on a waiting list.

Haines said that should not discourage those interested in living at Riverview, because some have been on the list since 2018 and might no longer be interested.

Those wanting to get on the waiting list should call 814-272-8950.

Whether for families or seniors, Haines said there is demand for decent, quality, affordable housing.

“Every senior project we do in Pennsylvania gets full quickly,” Haines said. “Or it takes some time, and they get full and they stay full.”

While saying his company is always looking for new opportunities, Haines said Gatesburg will not undertake another project in the Harrison area for a couple more years.

NDC Management will manage the building.