New Independent Living & Memory Care Facility May Come To Mentor

In 2006, an Oregon-based company named Mentor Assisted Living wanted to build an assisted living facility at 7900 Center Street in the Newell Creek development.

A development plan was even approved by the Planning Commission and city of Mentor.

However, when the economy languished in subsequent years, so did the project.

But now Mentor Assisted Living has regained interest in opening an assisted living and memory care facility on the 5-acre lot.

Mentor Senior Living would have 103 units with 134 total beds -- 71 assisted-living units, 25 memory-care units for those with Alzheimer's or dementia and seven enhanced care units -- according to the Planning Commission's staff report.

Mentor Assisted Living will have a pair of items pertaining to the project before the Planning Commision during its meeting today at .

The commission will be able to vote on both a preliminary site plan and an amendment to originally approved development plan.

Because Mentor Senior Living would be substantially different than the previously approved site plan -- for example, the original facility did not have memory-care units -- an amendment to the development plan is necessary.

While the facility will bring jobs to the city, Mentor Economic Director Ron Traub thinks it increases Mentor's quality of life in another way.

"It provides an opportunity for older people who want to stay in the community, as well as their children who also want to keep them nearby," Traub said.

In related news, Smart Money magazine recently named Mentor .

The Planning Commission's Staff Report for Mentor Senior Living is attached to this story as a PDF.