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March 18, 2009 

Brickstone senior housing community approved by Brighton Town Planning Board

Groundbreaking and construction expected to begin in May; project is first in Rochester area to incorporate principles of New Urbanism in a senior living community

St. John’s Brickstone, a 16-acre senior housing community on Elmwood Ave., received final sign-off by the Brighton Planning Board at its March 18^th meeting. (The project received approval by the Brighton Town Board on January 28.) Construction is expected to begin in May or June.

When completed, Brickstone will comprise 102 dwelling units – apartments and lofts, one-story bungalows and townhouses – situated around the natural wetlands that currently exist on the property. The design and layout of the development, based on the principles of New Urbanism, also includes walking trails and pathways and a Village Square to house retail outlets available to residents of both Brickstone and of the neighboring communities in Brighton.

Among the concerns of the Town Board in approving housing projects of this kind – especially with Brickstone seen as a gateway to the Town of Brighton – are preservation of the natural aspects of the environment, set-backs from roadways, zoned use and tax rates.  Among the concerns of the Planning Board are the overall look (including density, mass, height and style) and feel of Brickstone’s buildings, including its retail outlets, especially since they are in the midst of residential communities along much of Elmwood Ave. 

“We’ve worked with the various Town boards to insure that our plans will be approved, especially because Brickstone will be a highly visible and desirable place to live for active seniors and a convenient destination for area residents for shopping, gathering, and socializing” says Charlie Runyon, CEO of St. John’s. “Based on these approvals, we’ll begin construction shortly.”

Christa Construction, based in Victor, will build Brickstone. The 16-month construction schedule will create an estimated boost in area employment of between 450 and 500 construction jobs.

New Urbanism

A revolutionary aspect of Brickstone, its design is based on the principles of New Urbanism, which suggests that building and landscape design reflect the history and the styles and standards of the community and make smart use of the land available to enhance the social interaction and comfort of a true neighborhood.  As a New Urbanism community, Brickstone features a defined center and mixed styles

of housing that are entirely “walkable.”

The focal point of Brickstone is an appropriately designed and scaled “village square” type of building with glass exterior overlooking the wet lands and pond, offering residents a place to shop at retail shops and stores and to gather in community-oriented meeting space.  The retails outlets will also be available to residents of nearby Brighton neighborhoods along Elmwood Ave. 

More…

“Our overall approach for Brickstone is to create an inviting neighborhood, one that is easy to negotiate for our residents and is a desirable destination for the area’s neighboring residents for shopping, meetings and events, and other opportunities” says Runyon.  “In short, this project will invite our Brighton neighbors to participate in becoming a neighborhood.”

Fit and Active Seniors in an Anti-Suburban Setting

The project differs from other senior housing communities in that it provides active, healthy seniors with a setting that eliminates suburban sprawl, is designed for walking, promotes neighborhood friendliness and interaction, and offers a new balance for its residents in the way of immediate access to shopping, to on-site services as needed, and to the larger communities of Brighton and adjacent areas.  This is in sharp contrast to the suburbs, where the houses are far apart that there is really no neighborhood “center” and the only way to get to retail and service outlets is by automobile.

“The suburbs can be extremely isolating to an empty nester or retired adult who no longer wants the responsibility of home ownership and would like a closer neighborhood feeling,” says Runyon. “On the other hand, a dense urban community may not appeal to such an individual or couple looking for a retirement setting.

“Brickstone, with its New Urban design, will meet the needs and housing desires of this increasingly large demographic.”

All units at Brickstone are available on a rental basis; no purchase of the unit or entry fee is required.  This financial basis offers Brickstone residents a highly desirable and modern living unit without the necessity of tying up their funds in home ownership.

Information is available at the Brickstone Information Center at 585-271-1000.

Schedule for Construction

Once approved and ground is officially broken, the primary activity will be site preparation and the creation and connection of sewers and other utilities. Upon completion of site work, foundations will be dug and poured and the framing of the buildings will begin.

Brickstone officials anticipate a construction period of ten months to complete the Village Square and the apartments and for the first residents to move in. The townhouse and bungalows will be completed shortly thereafter.

St. John’s

St. John’s is a multi-level continuum of care for the elderly in Rochester.  The nursing facility, St. John's Home, was founded in 1899.   Located on an eight-acre campus on the corner of South and Highland Avenues, the Home provides rehabilitation, hospice and long term care to 475 residents.  St. John's is Rochester's only Eden Alternative nursing home.  St. John's Meadows, a senior living community, located on 35 acres in Brighton, offers a variety of independent and assisted living options.  St. John's Foundation develops financial resources for the family of St. John's services and programs, and supports other health-related programs for the aging in Rochester.   St. John’s also has programs providing services to people who continue living in their own homes, including Day Break adult day services and Traditions in Caring home health care.

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