New Senior Housing Proposed for Grayslake

Mercy Housing is proposing a new 70-unit senior housing community in Grayslake. Residents got a chance to see the plans and ask questions during a open house on April 7.

Mercy Housing, a national leader in developing senior housing, plans to develop Grayslake Senior Apartments. It would be new construction on Belvidere and Neville Roads to serve residents age 55 and older.

Lisa Kuklinski, vice president of public affairs, explained Mercy Housing owns and operates 40,000 housing units situated in urban and rural communities. They are designed to be part of the community.

“We’ve taken great care to design a building that looks a lot like the beautiful homes around the lake and around downtown,” Kuklinski said.

Of the 70 units, 63 will feature one bedroom and seven will include one bedroom and a den. All senior housing units will serve the people within the community it is situated.  

Kuklinski said they expect all units will be filled through outreach to Grayslake congregations, senior centers and senior organizations. If spaces remain, they will extend outreach to Lake County. She added they are working with Lake County United, a coalition of 39 congregations to extend outreach.

The units will serve residents with incomes ranging from $15,800 to $31,600 for a one-person household and between $18,010 to $36,100 for a two-person household. Kuklinski said this building is meant to serve people who are living on Social Security.

“We hope families who live in Grayslake will bring their parents from surrounding areas to live closer to them. That is really the goal of this development,” she said.

Some residents have voiced concerns about the building, fearful it may increase crime and reduce property values. Kuklinski said this will be a secure, locked facility that will increase the village’s revenue. She said adds they conduct criminal background checks and deny those who have committed certain crimes to move into the development.

The Village of Grayslake requested that Mercy Homes hold the open house. Kuklinski said it was important to hold a live event to share the facts.

“It is important to know we are going to be serving the exact same population as Library Lane. We have the same financing as Library Lane. I would ask them to see if Library Lane has increased crime. Has Library Lane reduced their property values?” she said.

Looking for affordable housing, Mary Ann Guisinger said she moved to an apartment complex in Fox Lake that features 102 units but little parking and laundry facilities. She said Grayslake needs decent, affordable housing for seniors.

“Not all can afford to have their parents live with them. Many of us live alone and need affordable housing,” she said, adding. “For each person who moves in, it’s another person who will shop locally.”

Ken Gutowski, who has lived along Lake Street for 30 years, said he wonders as the Rockenbach dealership sits idle along Route 120 how this building will be maintained and will fit aesthetically in the village.

“The entryway to our village is Route 120. But if you put up a building that is not going to be maintained, it is not good,” Gutowski said. “I don’t want a new eyesore 10 to 15 years from now.”

Mercy Housing will meet with the village zoning board Monday and their recommendation will be brought to the village board later this month. If the project receives board approval, construction would begin late summer and will last 12 to 14 months.