ROCHESTER— With 23 units now fully occupied, the residents of the Village at Plumb Corner over-55 housing development have started to develop a small community. 

“They've started their own little exercise routine,” said Jack Conway realtor Christine LaCava referring to the Village’s residents who walk the neighborhood daily.

Located on Sarahbeth Lane, construction for the project developed by REpurpose Properties has been divided into three phases according to LaCava.

 Phase one, the first 23 units located in the center of the complex, has been completed. 

According to LaCava, construction for phase two is in progress and half of the ten units located on Katlyn Circle have been sold. LaCava said that none of the units are considered affordable housing. 

“Phase three we won't open up until we're further along on phase two,” said LaCava. Phase three consists of constructing and selling the 10 units located on Hayley Circle.

 The project was first proposed in 2018 and began welcoming residents in April 2021 despite dealing with supply chain issues.

“Whether it was appliances, flooring or the construction materials to build — we had to wait longer than we normally would have,” said LaCava. “Covid really put a damper on things.”

The developers saw setbacks prior to construction as pre-existing drainage problems resurfaced at Plumb Corner Mall in October 2018 that stalled the project. 

The stormwater discharge was being directed into an isolated wetland on the property.

REPurpose Properties owner Mike LaCava and husband of Christine, initially supported an open basin drainage system for the project, JC Engineering developed a “multiple basin” drainage system for the Plumb Corner to allow for storm water drainage.

According to LaCava, the development hasn’t seen a drainage issue so far.

“It's all installed and working the way it should be,” she said.

The resolution has allowed for the construction of 44 units on the site as well as a clubhouse complete with a pool.

LaCava said that residents from across the Tri-Town meet at the clubhouse for weekly game nights and gatherings.

“Over-55 communities serve a great purpose,” said Rochester Planning Board member Bendrix Bailey. “They put people who are in a similar position in life together close enough so that they can rely on each other.”

The housing development’s proximity to Plumb Corner shopping center is not only an amenity for residents, but also creates customers for local businesses.

 “It has brought in new people and new customers,” said Friends’ Marketplace Director of Operations Rob Ciardi. “We’ve got a lot of new business because of it, and in response to that we have remodeled the store for the community coming in.”

Ciardi said in addition to expanding the deli, the marketplace also received new refrigerators and freezers.