Autumn Village senior housing move-in ready

New residents of Autumn Village, an affordable senior housing project in Carson City, were wide-eyed and curious Tuesday as they viewed the features of their new homes.

"They're gorgeous," said 67-year-old Bea Topete, who attended the open house to check out her new apartment. "They are absolutely beautiful, and all my furniture will fit. I'm so excited I could just cry."

Excess rain and snow slowed the building of Phase I, a 47-unit complex of one- and two-bedroom apartments at 1101 Beverly Drive, just east of the Carson City Senior Citizens Center.

Dozens of seniors toured the complex, admiring the new appliances, laundry room, computer room and common areas. There are three levels; the first and second levels have 16 apartments, and the third has 15.

"There are security cameras all over the building," said Luis Casas, project manager with Wright Brothers Construction, builders of Autumn Village Phase I and II.

"There are cameras at each entrance, stairwell door and parking lot, all with digital video recording capabilities."

Toni Santos, 61, is moving in this weekend.

"I was one of the first to apply," she said. "I'm really excited. I love fresh air, and I have a balcony. I'm on the third floor - which I requested."

Site managers are Trenna and Bob Hess, who came to Carson City from Pocatello, Idaho.

"We're looking forward to this (job)," Trenna Hess said as she placed cookies on the lobby table for guests. "We've been to the area before and love it.

"The most common question I'm being asked is, 'When can I move in?'"

Hess said one-hour appointments have been scheduled for the next three days for tenants to sign their leases. They can move in as soon as the paperwork is complete.

Each level has a common area and laundry room. Apartments for the disabled have wheelchair-accessible showers and metal grab bars for stability and lower countertops in the kitchen. Microwaves are on the counter rather than above the stove and controls for the stove are at the front.

Apartments include a refrigerator, self-cleaning oven, dishwasher, double sink and microwave. There is a picnic area and one covered parking unit per apartment.

Other amenities include air conditioning, a computer/study room with Internet in the community room, exterior lighting and elevators for easy access to all three levels of the complex. Minor touch-ups should be completed in a matter of days.

Co-operators of the complex are the Carson City Senior Citizens Center and Somerset Pacific, who joined as a limited liability corporation. Carson City will receive property taxes from the rentals. The property will be maintained by Somerset Pacific, in partnership with Community Development Inc. and the senior center.

"We've started on Phase II, which will be just as nice," Casas said.

"It is well worth the wait," Santos said. "I've been truly looking forward to this."

• Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.