“This is an exciting evening for those of us in Peoria,” declared Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis at the ribbon cutting party held last week to mark the completion of the Gateway at River City affordable assisted living community.
The community, which opened for occupancy on Oct. 28, is designed to serve adults 22 to 64 years of age with physical disabilities who need some help to maintain their independence. It is fully certified by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services to operate through a special program called Supportive Living.
In particular, Peoria’s Mayor highlighted two aspects of the development. He talked about how “absolutely beautiful” the building is and about the sense of community and dignity that Gateway will provide residents.
It is “light, airy and engaging.” City Council member Denise Moore, who passionately advocated for the development of the community in her district, added that given its location, there will be “a lot of opportunities for residents to get out and about.”
Gateway combines residential, apartment-home living with the availability of personal assistance, help with medications and other support services like three meals a day, housekeeping and laundry.
Each of the private apartments features a spacious bathroom, individually controlled heating and air conditioning, and emergency alert system. Residents are able to furnish and decorate their apartment to reflect their tastes.
In addition, residents have access to a variety of community areas including a spacious dining room, private dining room, café, pub with billiards, activity/game/recreation rooms, theatre, library, fitness center, physical therapy room, lounge areas and an outdoor patio.
Certified nursing assistants are on-duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide residents with the help and assistance they need.
Residents will also benefit from the opportunities that will be available to socialize with friends and neighbors. They will be able to participate in social, educational, recreational and fitness activities and special events.
“Today, we commemorate the brick and mortar and look back on all the planning, persistence and fortitude that it took to develop Gateway at River City,” said Dave Cocagne, President and CEO of Vermilion Development of Chicago, as he represented the development company and the principal owners.
He highlighted the collaboration between private enterprise and local, state and federal governments that were so important in making the development of Gateway possible.
“We also look forward with great anticipation to our promise to serve those in need who will be making Gateway their home.”
Dave noted that the ownership group includes Advocates for Access, a center for independent living in Peoria Heights.
Worn, Jerabek, Wiltse Architects, with offices in Champaign and Chicago, served as the architects for Gateway and Horve Builders of Forsyth, Illinois, as the General Contractor.
Gardant is proud to have been selected to be part of the development team and as the management company for Gateway at River City.
“Our focus,” says Rod Burkett, Gardant’s CEO, “is to provide residents with the Love, Compassion and Dignity they deserve in addition to the help and assistance that need. Our emphasis is to help each resident to achieve and maintain as much independence as possible.”
Gardant manages nearly 40 affordable assisted living communities that are certified to operate through the Illinois Supportive Living program. Most of the communities are certified to serve adults 65 and older. The Deer Path of Huntley Supportive Living Community serves adults with physical disabilities, just as Gateway does. Gardant has managed Deer Path since it opened in August 2013.
We operate communities throughout Illinois and in Indiana and Georgia; we rank as the 12th largest provider of assisted living in the country.
For more information about Gateway at River City and the lifestyle that is available for adults 22 to 64 years of age with a physical disability, you can stop in the visit the community or call 309-673-3115. The community is located at 518 Romeo B. Garrett Ave. in Peoria, Illinois.