Riverview Senior Living apartment building set to open its doors in Harrison
A nearly 100-year-old former elementary school in a residential Harrison neighborhood is expected to open its doors as senior citizen rental apartments in June.
“We’re doing ‘punch out’ work now,” developer Andy Haines said. “There’s lots of cosmetic work and cleaning up. The last month is always challenging to get to the finished product.”
Haines said interest is strong in Riverview Senior Living, which will have 31 one- and two-bedroom apartments for people 62 and older.
“We’re not 100% full, but we are processing at least 30 applicants,” Haines said.
Applicants must earn less than about $38,900, which is 60% of the median Allegheny County income.
The building at 11th and California avenues will help fill the need for senior housing in Allegheny County — which is second only to Palm Beach County in Florida for the number of older residents.
Township Commissioner Jim Erb said he very much supports affordable housing for all residents.
“It’s important for these residents to stay in our community and live,” Erb said.
“It will also take an empty building that has been vacant for years and turn it into a viable and vibrant part of our community. It just makes sense to do this in our community.”
The former Riverview Elementary School operated from 1925 to 1980 and was last used by Highlands School District as administrative offices. It was sold in 2014 to a small group of people who discussed possibilities for the building but ultimately sold it to current owners, Gatesburg Road Development.
Haines, vice president of Gatesburg, is eager to see the $10 million project completed.
Work initially began in late 2020. Covid-related supply issues caused a three-month delay in construction, he said.
Some of the amenities at the transformed school now include a fitness room, community space with kitchen and a part-time support service coordinator.
“We’re finishing up,” Haines said. “We really hope to be targeting early June for move-in.”
For more information, call 814-272-8950.
Tawnya Panizzi is a TribLive reporter. She joined the Trib in 1997. She can be reached at tpanizzi@triblive.com.
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