Phase 1 of site work for a multiphase, multimillion-dollar retirement community called Touchmark at the Ranch is underway. Infrastructure sufficient to begin construction on cottages and the clubhouse will be complete by January of 2016, according to Touchmark Executive Vice President Tom Biel.
He says home construction will start during the first quarter of 2016 and include approximately 200 homes. It is located on a 44-area tract of land just north of Hwy 69 and the Prescott Gateway Mall. The site overlooks Prescott to the west.
“Phase 1 will have 31 or more single-family homes, 100 independent living lodge homes in the Grand Lodge, and 53 assisted living homes, “Biel said.
“Additionally, Touchmark’s Pembrook program, which supports those who are experiencing early cognitive challenges, will have 11 homes in the first phase. The initial focus is the creation of an active adult retirement community with a broad spectrum of services and care over time.”
“When completed, Touchmark will employ approximately 150 highly trained and compassionate personnel,” he said.
Biel, now a Prescott resident, relocated recently from Bend, Oregon. While there, he administered another Touchmark retirement community for several years. He has more than 32 years of experience with the organization.
Retirement Community Tailored to Reflect Prescott Lifestyle
Biel says he anticipated the construction of main building in Phase 1 homes to be complete by the second quarter of 2017, when the Grand Lodge would welcome residents. The senior living community ultimately will consist of some 350 active adult single family and apartment homes. “We look forward to serving people ages 55 and older.”
“All homes will be constructed in the distinctive style that is characteristic of this area,” Biel explained.
He says that as much as possible, local contractors and materials would be used for the construction phase. That will add millions to the local economy during construction.
Biel notes that Touchmark will focus upon building homes that meet or exceed high energy standards with quality insulation, UV tinted windows and energy efficient heating and cooling systems. He says Touchmark works extensively to convert to LED lighting so that the community can save 60 to 80 percent in energy consumption. It also emphasizes water conservation.
Floor plans are available for both the cottages and the lodge homes. Cottages range in size from 1,700 to 3,000 square feet. Lodge homes will range up to 1,685 square feet.
“We envision our full-service retirement community in Prescott as unique. We will reflect Prescott’s western heritage and the Arizona lifestyle. We’ll have indoor-outdoor living, spectacular views, and the charm of a Town Plaza. Nearly 60 percent of the site will be preserved as open space – what we call a ‘Central Park’ – complete with nature trails and other amenities,” Biel said.
The goal, he says, is to retain as much open space as possible. Consequently, parking will be below the Grand Lodge in climate-controlled garages with elevator access to lodge homes.
“We’ll also have storage lockers, a car-wash bay, a pet-wash station and a woodworking and crafting shop for residents. Single family homes will have their own garages for cars, carts and bikes.”
Touchmark Retirement Counselor Christy VanderMolen mentioned still other amenities and facilities, including three distinct dining restaurants, beauty and barber shops, a bistro, banking facilities, lounge spaces, library, art gallery and activity-game rooms.
“We’re really pleased to have some features like pickleball, bocce ball, a small community amphitheater, some raised planting beds for gardens and other features within our Central Park,” said VanderMolen.
“We’ll also have a stand-alone clubhouse. It features an 18,000-square-foot health and fitness center. It has an indoor pool and exercise equipment especially designed for older adults,” she said. “All residents will have access to the clubhouse including its restaurant, pub and civic area since it is included in the monthly service plan.”
Years of Planning Preceded Touchmark at the Ranch
Longtime Prescott residents and community leaders Jim and Linda Lee said they had investigated dozens of retirement center builders before deciding to invite The Touchmark Development. Lee is perhaps best known as the developer responsible for the Prescott Gateway Mall and The Ranch residential area in southeast Prescott.
“Several years ago, some of our senior friends were talking to us about wanting to downsize from their large multistory homes, which required far more maintenance than they wanted to do. That prompted us to think about identifying a really exceptional company that could fill that need. We think Touchmark is it.”
Lee says that Werner G. Nistler, Jr., a farm boy from North Dakota who became a certified public accountant, conceived of Touchmark 35 years ago, when he observed older people seeking places to live for their final years. He founded the company and still serves as chairman in the family-owned business.
Since 1980, he and his colleagues have developed 11 different Touchmark retirement communities in nine different states – Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, and now Arizona – and in Alberta, Canada.
Prescott is the newest development, Lee says.
Nistler visited Prescott at least five times, and became convinced it had the climate, community support, scenery and lifestyle that matched the Touchmark philosophy of “A life enriched, a life fulfilled,” Lee said.
Once Nistler agreed to bring Touchmark to Prescott, Lee said it took months to do the paperwork, get permits and meet all the requirements the City of Prescott had in place. “The city was quite cooperative, but demanded that Touchmark meet some high standards,” Lee said.
“What we find admirable in Touchmark is a genuine attitude of wanting to become a part of the community. It’s not some big corporate company that cares only about the bottom line. We’re convinced it’s a quality company that’s head and shoulders above others – but with a genuine heart.” QCBN
For more information about Touchmark at the Ranch, visit the office at 300 North Lee Blvd; or call 928-632-7800 for an appointment.
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