A local nonprofit’s plans to build a senior community on a property in Arcata has hit a “bump in the road” after Cal Poly Humboldt purchased the 16-acre site it had been negotiating to buy.

According to statement from Life Plan Humboldt — which is aiming to develop “Humboldt County’s first resident-led, life plan senior community” that includes a mix of private residences and higher-level care facilities with tiered levels of assisted living services, shared amenities and common areas in a campus-like setting — two other sites are now under consideration.

Cal Poly Humboldt announced the purchase of the Creekside property on the 2000 block of Foster Avenue in a July 5 news release, calling it a “strategic real estate investment.”

“The university has offered significantly more for the property than we had agreed on in our negotiations with the owners,” Life Plan Humboldt states, noting the nonprofit understands Cal Poly Humboldt’s “pressing need” for student housing. “We are discussing a partnership with the university supporting our senior community and we are also working on two excellent building site options in Arcata and McKinleyville that have been on our radar for some time.”

The nonprofit states it has raised more than $865,000 in grants and donations over the last two years for the project, which residents would buy into with an “upfront, one-time entrance fee” as well as ongoing monthly payments for utilities and other services.

Cal Poly Humboldt did not specify what was slated for the Creekside property  in its release, stating only that the site will “be used to support any of a number of institutional priorities aligned with our polytechnic transformation” and will “play a vital role in efforts to provide a positive, meaningful educational experience for students.”

For now, the nonprofit’s plan is to secure a site by the end of the year with the hope of construction on the residential community for those 60 and older to “age in place safely” beginning in late 2024 and move-in by 2027, according to the Life Plan Humboldt website.

The model is based on others in areas like Portland, Oregon, and Healdsburg, according to the LPH website, which states no similar living communities are available within 200 miles of Humboldt County.

Find out more about Life Plan Humboldt here.

Read the Life Plan Humboldt statement below:

Life Plan Humboldt (LPH) is a nonprofit formed by local people to develop Humboldt County’s first resident-led, life plan senior community. This grassroots project will offer independent cottages and apartments, shared dining and activities, healthcare support, and innovative memory care, all in one location.

In the last 2 years we have continued to gain grassroots support and we thank you all for spreading the word! Close to 1000 people get our monthly newsletter, and we have over $856,000 donations/pledges/grants from 270 individuals and institutions toward our summer goal of $1 million.

We’ve hit a bump in the road. We had hoped to develop the Creekside property on Foster Avenue in Arcata, and many of you have visited the property. We had negotiated for the 16-acres but now the land has been bought by Cal Poly Humboldt. The University has offered significantly more for the property than we had agreed on in our negotiations with the owners. We are discussing a partnership with the University supporting our senior community and we are also working on two excellent building site options in Arcata and McKinleyville that have been on our radar for some time.

We understand the pressing need for the University to house the expanding student population and are envious of their budget! We will continue to work with them on facilitating student internships and service learning at LPH when we get up and going.

We have a solid business plan and are confident of success once we get to the point of securing bonds and starting construction. The impressive extent of your support helps us secure grants and financing, so keep spreading the word.

So stay tuned, visit our website for more information and to sign up for the newsletter. Our timeline will most likely be extended, which could be a good thing given the current building and finance costs. Inflation will recede some day and we shall succeed. We thank you for your support and are committed to moving forward. www.lifeplanhumboldt.org

Read the Cal Poly Humboldt release below:

Cal Poly Humboldt is excited to announce a strategic real estate investment within a mile of the main campus in Arcata.

Humboldt recently purchased 16 acres of developable land at 2000 Foster Ave. The land will be used to support any of a number of institutional priorities aligned with our polytechnic transformation. It will play a vital role in efforts to provide a positive, meaningful educational experience for students.

In addition to acquisitions of land and facilities, the University is embarking on a comprehensive facilities planning effort. This extensive process will help many stakeholders to engage in the long-term transformation of Cal Poly Humboldt’s campus and off-campus sites. The University continues to explore other property acquisitions that align with the educational needs of our students, as well as supporters and partnerships for a variety of efforts.