BERKS COUNTY, Pa., June 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The Heritage of Green Hills, a continuing care retirement community that will become Berks County's largest, began construction with a "Salute to Freedom" festival today -- months ahead of its previously announced groundbreaking. The Heritage of Green Hills will be built on 78 acres of hilltop land off Route 10 in Cumru Township. When complete, the community will include more than 460 apartments and 39 villas and will be home to more than 800 residents. The Heritage of Green Hills will also offer private assisted-living suites, memory care and nursing care, enabling the community to provide a full spectrum of support to its residents. The community will also have a significant economic impact on the region. The project carries a total cost of $140 million and will create 200 new jobs. In addition, the completed community will generate hundreds of thousands in tax revenues that will benefit local governments without burdening schools. The original timeline called for construction to begin in early 2008, according to Kristin E. Kutac, Chief Operating Officer of American Heritage Communities, Inc., which is developing the community. Due to overwhelming response, The Heritage of Green Hills broke ground months ahead of schedule and plans to begin moving residents in during Fall 2008 -- also months ahead of its announced timeframe. "Today's seniors don't accept the idea that retirement is a time to slow down," Kutac said. "Once this region's retirees learned about the new kind of environment we were creating, they responded enthusiastically." When completed, the gated community will offer hiking trails, exercise facilities, an indoor swimming pool, a salon and a restaurant and tavern, among other amenities. The Heritage of Green Hills will also be distinguished by unique programs. The community is the region's first to offer a 100% Refundable Entrance Fee, which ensures residents that their full entrance fee will be returned to them or to their heirs. In addition, the community has created Well By Design(SM), a program that will help each resident create an individualized wellness plan. Staff specialists will support residents as they focus on keeping a healthy mind, body and spirit. Jeanene Palmer, Director of Community Relations for The Heritage of Green Hills, said the area's existing retirement communities are either near capacity or at full capacity with a waiting list. "Retirees in our area were running out of choices, " Palmer said. "With The Heritage of Green Hills, they can stay close to their roots and enjoy a different approach to retirement living."
