The Palisades, a senior community that combines luxury housing with services provided by the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs’ Gerontology Center, has broken ground in the Broadmoor area. 

The Palisades is a unique partnership between UCCS and Dunn & Associates, Inc., a Colorado Springs real estate development company.

“Our goal is to have The Palisades set a new standard for excellence in the senior housing industry by incorporating the feathers and amenities of a first-class community with the cutting-edge programs from UCCS,” says Jeff Dunn, President of Dunn & Associates. 

Dunn worked with the UCCS faculty and staff to design both living facilities and programs for residents.  Students from the gerontology program will live and work at The Palisades to learn and provide services for residents.  The university will receive 1 percent of The Palisades’ gross revenues. 

“This is the first partnership of its kind in the country, and we think it will become a real model for other communities,” says UCCS Chancellor Pam Shockley-Zalabak.  “It’s an opportunity to significantly improve the quality of life for older citizens utilizing the university’s talent and resources and Dunn & Associate’s industry expertise.  It’s a perfect fit.”

Located at Broadmoor Bluffs Drive and South Academy Boulevard, the community will consist of 110 units and will offer both independent and assisted living facilities with all the amenities residents would expect to find at a first-class retirement community.

Through the collaboration with the UCCS Gerontology Center, residents will have access to programs and classes to optimize their mental and physical fitness, challenge their minds, stay healthy and remain engaged in the community.  These services include:

• A Lifelong Learning Center to promote mental fitness through classes, discussion groups, outings, book and game clubs, and service opportunities 

• An onsite health clinic staffed by Certified Nurse Practitioners from Beth-El College of Nursing who will provide wellness check-ups, treatment for routine illnesses and health education

• Fitness for Life, a comprehensive approach to maintaining physical fitness and independence through strength, balance and flexibility training and conditioning.

Students enrolled in the university’s gerontology programs will live and work at The Palisades to provide additional services. 

The community was designed by the Boulder architecture firm of Eric Smith and Associates and Colorado Springs landscape architects Thomas and Thomas to complement the surrounding community.  The buildings feature exterior stucco walls, stone accents and tile roofs and are set in a landscaped, four-acre campus with views of Cheyenne Mountain, walking paths and gardening areas.  Common aeas include a multimedia center, exercise facility, spa, barbershop and beauty salon.  The site lies across the street from a shopping center with a supermarket, bank, coffee shop and other services. 

Residents will choose from seven independent living floor plans and four plans in the assisted living facility.

The one- and two-bedroom independent living apartments feature private patios and balconies, large kitchens with solid-surface countertops, baths with heated tile floors and walk-in showers, and nine-foot ceilings and crown molding.  Every apartment has a washer and dryer; some units have gas fireplaces.

Dining options include The University Club, a dining room with mountain views, and The Café, which will offer sandwiches and casual fare.  Residents can enjoy 30 meals per month at the University Club included in their rent. 

The three- story assisted living building will enable residents to maintain as much independence as possible while having their individual needs met in a safe environment.  Each floor has wheelchair ramp exits in case a fire drill shuts down the elevators.  According to Dunn, this feature is unique to multi-level assisted living buildings in Colorado Springs. 

Residents will eat in dining rooms on each floor.  Meals will be individually supervised by certified dietitians.  Each studio and one-bedroom apartment has a microwave and refrigerator.  Weekly housekeeping and linen services are provided.

Assisted-living residents and their families will work with staff to determine the amount of assistance they need.  They will be able to choose and pay for the services they require, allowing them to manage costs. 

The Gerontology Center provides the only Ph.D. program in the Unites States and is nationally known for its leadership in the field of gerontology.

Dunn & Associates is locally owned and manages and has been Colorado Springs for 25 years.  The company has developed senior housing projects in Denver, Brighton and Sun City, Ariz.

The Palisades is offering 40 Founders Club memberships that will enable residents to lock in their base rental rate for nine years.  Membership requires $6,000 at sign-up. $20,000 at commencement of construction and $20,000 at move-in.  At the end of nine years, members’ rents will increase to the then-going rate. 

Founders club members will be able to customize their apartments by choosing carpet and floor coverings, cabinets, countertops, and tile and accent wall colors.  They will automatically move to the top of the waiting list for available apartments in the assisted living building.  The membership fees are full refundable after the first two years. 

For more information about The Palisades, call 226-2273

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