United Church Homes to Invest $17 Million in Parkvue Community Makeover

Over the next several years, United Church Homes will make nearly $17 million in upgrades to Parkvue Community, a full-service retirement community with independent, assisted and health care services in Sandusky, Ohio.

United Church Homes, a national nonprofit, faith-based senior living provider in Marion, Ohio, will add 44 homes to the community, including 10 new cottage homes as part of the first phase of a multi-phase $15 million to $16 million construction project in Parkvue’s independent living neighborhood.

The estimated cost of the first phase of the project is $4 million. Construction is expected to begin April 1 and be completed by Dec. 31.

Charles Mooney, senior vice president and chief operating officer, said he hopes the new cottages will attract older adults who are looking for a more independent lifestyle. Parkvue opened a state of the art aquatics center in 2016 and has added a new aquatic fitness program.

“We want to provide a true independent living housing option on campus that attracts younger residents,” Mooney said.
UCH also plans to renovate its memory care neighborhood. Renovations include adding four private rooms, installing uniquely designed privacy walls in four existing semi-private rooms. Additional upgrades include a new family kitchen, a living room with a fireplace and a private dining room to make residents in the memory care neighborhood feel more at home. Upgrades to the memory care area are expected to cost about $600,000, with a target completion date of March 15.

Amy Kotterman, director of Hospitality Services at United Church Homes, said the new design in the memory care neighborhood will create space for a laundry room, a fish tank, a nursery and a workshop.

“The goal is to make them feel at home. We know this is not where they spent 40 to 50 years of their lives. But if Parkvue is where they choose to live, we want to do our best to make them feel at home,” Kotterman said.
In addition, renovations will soon be completed on the second and third floors of the Parkvue Place apartments. Upgrades include renovations to the beauty salon, new flooring, paint and common area furniture.  Renovations to Parkvue Place will cost about $250,000 and be completed as early as Feb. 28.

The community is invited to see the renovations to the memory care area at an open house held from 4-6 p.m. March 30 at Parkvue, 3800 Boardwalk Blvd.

The Rev. Kenneth Daniel, president and CEO of United Church Homes, said the expansion and renovation projects at Parkvue are an investment in the maintenance and modernization of the community.

“It’s an investment that will help Parkvue meet what today’s seniors are looking for and grow the community in an innovative fashion,” Rev. Daniel said.

A gift from the Ruth Frost Parker Foundation will fund a portion the renovations.  Parker, a Sandusky resident, who died in 2015, was known for her vision, leadership and philanthropy.  Her contributions to United Church Homes funded the original development of the Parkvue Community.

Rev. Daniel and Mooney credited Frost Parker’s generosity for helping UCH establish Parkvue Community and make the major renovations needed to provide high quality hospitality and health care services to seniors.

Parkvue Administrator Ken Keller said:  “It’s quite an investment for current and future Parkvue residents. These renovations will allow us to provide the facilities and amenities that promote abundant living for our residents and continue to meet the vision, mission and values of the United Church Home into the future,” Keller said.

About United Church Homes:  United Church Homes has been “Celebrating the Spirit” of seniors for a century.  The nonprofit, faith-based organization is one of the largest providers of senior living, with more than 1,500 dedicated staff serving 4,500 residents of all faiths in 69 senior living communities throughout 14 states and two Native American nations.  UCH is in covenant with the United Church of Christ and welcomes residents of all faiths.