Apr 07, 2021

Update on Aging Well project

Posted Apr 07, 2021 6:33 PM

JUNCTON CITY, Kan. — Geary County's Aging Well project continues to move forward. The project is a development that will increase the quality of life for senior citizens in Geary County. 

The plan is for the project to be located at the northwest corner of U.S. 77 and K-18 Highways in Geary County. 

If the Aging Well project begins late this year, the current track for the first phase will be to have it completed within the end of 2022. 

According to Leon Osburn, the project itself will take multiple phases and develop over the course of potentially five to 15 years. 

"I could see probably a half a dozen to a dozen independent living structures, maybe an apartment complex out there," said Osburn. "We've got a lot of ideas that the architects have put out there before us and we want us to take the next step, which would be the small homes and the assisted living." 

The project will be within the city limits and according to Osburn will be zoned as a residential/suburban area but that is yet to be completely established. 

Duane Blythe is heavily involved in the project and told KJCK's Dewey Terrill the project is seeking a tax credit from the state of Kansas, which could offer a $500,000 credit. 

"It would be $250,000 credit and 50-percent match," said Blythe. "So, we're looking for people and businesses in the area that have a state tax, income tax problem that would be willing to participate in this and they would get a 50-percent match." 

According to Blythe, the Geary County Commission will write a letter of support that would accompany the application to the state of Kansas. 

"We're really excited about it," Blythe exclaimed. "We've been talking about it for a number of years and with the recent opportunity to get some land, it's going to really propel us forward."

A rendering of a floorplan for the Aging Well project housing.
A rendering of a floorplan for the Aging Well project housing.
A rendering of the exterior of a living space from the Aging Well project.
A rendering of the exterior of a living space from the Aging Well project.