Avalon Park to Start Development of Assisted Living and Memory Care Facility in East Orlando

ORLANDO - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently granted preliminary approval of a pre-application for the development of an 80,000 square foot assisted living and memory care facility on Tanja King Parkway and Avalon West Blvd. near downtown Avalon Park (top left photo) , moving the project one step closer to development.

Eric Marks, (middle right photo) senior vice president and chief operating officer at Avalon Park Group, said APG has been planning the 90-unit, 128-bed facility for more than two years.

“Approval of our pre-application is the first of several steps that must be undertaken before construction can start,” Marks said.

Avalon Park Group is preparing its formal application for HUD approval that details project design, contracting schedule, job creation and economic impact.

Ross Halle (lower left photo), town planner at Avalon Park Group, said Baker Barrios Architects, Inc. of Orlando is designing the three-story Avalon Park Assisted Living and Memory Care facility that will be comprised of six neighborhoods, each with 15 studio or one-bedroom units and with its own dining room and living room area.

Additionally, the project consists of an Outreach room for local community activities, a wellness area, occupational and physical therapy, salon and spa. The building will be surrounded by a secured, landscaped courtyard consisting of fountains, trellises and seating areas all under a canopy of oak trees.

Halle said construction of the $15 million facility could start later this year.

“Typically, it takes about seven months to complete the design, permitting and HUD final approval process,” Halle said.

Construction bids have been received and the winning construction company will be announced within the next few weeks after all bidding is studied, he said.

Avalon Park Group is currently seeking focus group participants who have searched for an assisted living facility or memory care center for their loved ones in the recent past, Stephanie Hodson, marketing coordinator for Avalon Park Group said, adding that focus group participants will be paid $50 per session.

“We want to ask them about their experience so we can learn more about how caregivers choose which facility is best for their loved ones,” she said.

Interested participants should contact Hodson at 407-658-6565 or visit www.AvalonParkGroup.com and click on the “Senior Living Focus Group” link.

For more information, contact:
Stephanie Hodson, Marketing Coordinator, Avalon Park Group 407-658-6565;
Eric Marks, Vice President /Chief Operating Officer, Avalon Park Group 407-658-6565;
Beat Kahli, Founder /CEO Avalon Park Group 407-658-6565;
Larry Vershel or Beth Payan, Larry Vershel Communications 407-644-4142