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A new housing project is off the ground on the south end of Great Falls aimed at serving the growing, low-income senior population.

The 40-unit Cascade Ridge facility, located at 3011 15th Avenue South, is seen by some as a much needed project for the city of Great Falls.

Frank Soltys, Benefis Senior Services director, explained, "When we did some initial work on senior services, that was one of the issues that the elderly really brought up is that they wanted a property that was close to medical services."

The $5.5-million dollar project will add housing for seniors at or below 60% of Cascade County's median income.

But not everyone sees the project as positive addition.

A group of 34 residents in the area signed a petition against a zoning ordinance to accommodate the development.

In statements to the City Commission, neighbors cited "high level traffic" and "lower property values" as major concerns.

Commissioner Bill Bronson said, "With respect to the traffic issue, the city was very sensitive to that. In order to maintain proper traffic flows, one of the conditions of granting the construction permit was that efforts would be made to complete 15th Avenue South as much as possible."

Bronson says there is no data to confirm property values will decrease because of the new facility, and says that values could actually go up.

In the end, both Soltys and Bronson agree that the need for affordable senior housing is growing, which means there could be more low to moderate income facilities popping up around Cascade County in the future.

Click here to read more about the project (PDF).

(August 2, 2011) Plans for a senior living facility on the south end of Great Falls will move forward despite objections from area residents.

Tuesday evening the Great Falls City Commission approved a motion to re-zone the area near 15th Avenue South and 29th Street to accommodate the Cascade Ridge Senior Living Facility.

Opponents say the low income units would lower property values and cause traffic issues.

They also expressed concern over the proposed tax exempt status of the project.

Area resident Ronelda Mogstad said, "As a tax paying member of this community, I feel we should not have to subsidize a development of this size."

Supporters say the project provides affordable housing for low income seniors with a close proximity to the medical community.

Frank Soltys with Benefis Health System said, "As much as there is a need for affordable senior housing, this project also supports senior health and wellness as they age."

The estimated cost of the project is $5.6 million.

Construction is expected to start this fall and wrap up in a year.

Project managers say there's already a waiting list of 60 people.