Legacy to build more independent-living homes – The Herald

June 4, 2021 Kate

By CHRISTINE STEPHENSON

cstephenson@dcherald.com

JASPER — Although Legacy Living of Jasper only opened two years ago, it is already expanding.

Construction is set to begin at the end of this month to build 24 new independent-living townhomes, consisting of 12 one-bedrooms and 12 two-bedrooms. Currently, there are six one-bedrooms and 12 two-bedrooms, and the waitlist to get into one is filling up, said Legacy’s Leasing Director Kyleigh Kluemper.

“The apartments that we have now filled up extremely quickly, and we haven’t had a lot of turnover,” she said. “We continue to have people inquire daily about independent living, and we realized obviously there is a need for it.”

Although there are several nursing homes and assisted-care facilities in the county, there are not many independent-living facilities, Kluemper said. On Legacy’s campus, there is a main building with 70 independent- and assisted-living apartments and 25 memory care apartments in addition to the 18 townhomes for independent living.

The townhomes are intended for people who are largely able to take care of themselves but may not be able to keep up with some household tasks, such as lawn maintenance. It also makes it easier so if residents can no longer live independently, they can easily move into the main facility.

The new townhomes will look similar to the current ones, with a one-car garage and access to the main building.

Nearly 18% of Dubois County residents are 65 or older, according to 2019 data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Kluemper said the expansion will fill some of the need for housing for the county’s aging population, as Legacy houses anyone 55 or older.

”This place is something totally new to Dubois County,” she said. “And with all these baby boomers retiring and needing places to live, it’s filling up.”

Those currently on the waitlist will get the first opportunity to live in the new townhomes. However, Kluemper still encouraged those interested to sign up for the waitlist, even if they might later change their minds. Those interested can call Legacy’s direct line at 812-559-0200 or Kluemper’s cell number at 812-639-5947.

If construction begins on time, it should be completed by the beginning of 2022. Final designs were approved by the Jasper Plan Commission Wednesday and will be passed on to the Jasper Common Council for final approval. Construction should not affect traffic on the main roads, Kluemper said.

There will be tours of the current townhomes available sometime in the near future, Kluemper said.