Riverwood Eagle’s Nest breaks ground on construction of new senior community project in Wisconsin Dells

MADISON, WI. Nov. 6, 2019 – Officials from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), state and local leaders, and former Governor Tommy Thompson broke ground today on Riverwood Eagle’s Nest, a multi-phase project to assisted living and memory care services for the Wisconsin Dells area.

WEDC is providing the City of Wisconsin Dells with a $250,000 state grant to assist in the construction of a community senior housing project that will be located in downtown Wisconsin Dells.

The Community Development Investment Grant from WEDC will support the first phase of the development, which consists of 30 assisted living apartments, 22 memory care apartments, a community café, a telemedicine office and community trails. The development is expected to enhance telemedicine services for residents, and safety and community access are also important features of the new development.

“This project addresses a gap in senior care services in the Wisconsin Dells and the surrounding communities in order to improve quality of life,” said Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of WEDC, the state’s leading economic development organization. “WEDC knows that community success is directly linked to quality services, which is why we support positive and substantive local development projects to encourage economic growth and improve these crucial services.”

“This development focuses on the quality of life for seniors and we are very fortunate to have it be part of our community,” said Wisconsin Dells Mayor Ed Wojnicz. “They are committed to providing state-of-the-art facilities and service enhanced by the natural beauty of the area.”

The City of Wisconsin Dells is working with Riverwood Eagle’s Nest LLC on the multi-phase development at 103 Bowman Road, expected to be completed by October 2020.

“Wisconsin Dells has always been a very special community to me” said former Governor Thompson, who is chairman of the board of Riverwood Eagle’s Nest LLC. “This state-of-the-art facility located on the Lower Wisconsin River will provide a quality senior community that ensures an active lifestyle and promotes health, happiness and longevity to the residents and their families, who deserve only the best.”

“On behalf of Grace Lutheran Communities, we are very pleased to have collaborated with Riverwood Eagle’s Nest LLC in bringing a visionary aging community to the Wisconsin Dells area,” said Raymond Weiss, CEO of Grace Lutheran Communities, one of the project’s partners. “It is very significant for our organization to have been chosen to share our senior care expertise through this partnership with Riverwood and be a part of something very special for this community. Together, our aligned mission, vision and values will drive us to create inspired senior care communities based on person-centered care that is surrounded by the unique beauty of nature.”

Future phases in the development will include 30 independent living apartments; 26 independent living duplexes; a community commons space; a wellness retreat center; and additional independent living, assisted living and memory care apartments. Additional partners will also provide integrated telemedicine and hospice care services.

As the city’s population ages, the need has arisen for better senior housing options. The development is designed to meet this need for Wisconsin Dells and surrounding communities, enhancing the lives of seniors and their family members since seniors will no longer have to leave the area.

“The WEDC grant to support the construction of a new community senior housing project will make a real impact on the aging population of Wisconsin Dells and the surrounding area,” said state Sen. Luther Olsen. “It will provide jobs and let seniors stay in their community, surrounded by family and friends.”

“Staying in your community as you age can lead to improved outcomes for daily activities, cognition and overall well-being,” said state Rep. Joan Ballweg. “The Wisconsin Dells area is a deserving place to make this investment. Thank you to WEDC for making this project a priority.”

WEDC’s Community Development Investment Grant Program supports community development and redevelopment efforts, primarily in downtown areas. The matching grants are awarded based on the ability of applicants to demonstrate the economic impact of the proposed project, including public and private partnership development, financial need and use of sustainable downtown development practices.

Since the program’s inception in 2013, WEDC has awarded more than $24 million in Community Development Investment Grants to 101 communities for projects expected to generate more than $500 million in capital investments statewide.

About the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) leads economic development efforts for the state by advancing and maximizing opportunities in Wisconsin for businesses, communities and people to thrive in a globally competitive environment. Working with more than 600 regional and local partners, WEDC develops and delivers solutions representative of a highly responsive and coordinated economic development network. Visit wedc.org or follow WEDC on Twitter @WEDCNews to learn more.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.