Representatives of the Touchmark on South Hill retirement complex recently met with Spokane city planners to discuss a proposed $14.6 million construction project that would include a new memory care building and a fitness facility.

The scope of work could include construction of a 63,000-square-foot, two-story memory care building with an estimated cost of $9.8 million and a $4.8 million health-and-fitness club, preliminary planning information shows. Touchmark on South Hill is located at 2929 S. Waterford, near the southeast corner of 29th Avenue and Pittsburg Street.

“We’re in the due diligence process of acquiring some adjacent property to add a health and fitness club that would include specialized exercise equipment designed to support older adults’ fitness needs, space for classes, and a heated indoor pool,” says Dave Cox, Touchmark on South Hill’s executive director.

Cox says the dimensions of the projects have yet to be finalized, and what’s listed in the application before the city easily could change.

Predevelopment information on file with the city shows Touchmark estimates construction would begin in late 2018.

Touchmark offers independent and assisted living, memory care and home health care, health and fitness training, and full on-site nursing services.

Touchmark’s predevelopment application says two separate, 16-room “neighborhoods” would be created on the first floor to provide care for residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related dementia.

The second floor would include a “third neighborhood” for enhanced assisted living, and a midpoint care program for residents with service-level needs “between assisted living and skilled nursing.” Support spaces include dining, kitchen, family and activity rooms, and secured outdoor courtyards, the application says.

“The project will require the street vacation of Napa Street and partial land purchase east of Napa Street where the city is proposing to construct a water reservoir,” the application says.

The city’s predevelopment conference notes say Touchmark would be required to provide an easement for a water line to connect to the planned water tank.

As for the health-and-fitness structure, the project might require vacating of part of east 32nd Avenue, according to Touchmark’s application.

“We’re proposing that we vacate the 32^nd Avenue right of way and connect the club with a walkway, or internal road, to our existing campus,” Cox says. 

The 12,000-square-foot, single-story building would house a lap-and-therapy pool and a spa, an aerobics and exercise room, lounge and office space, equipment rooms, and locker rooms. The facility would be intended for use by Touchmark residents and 55-and-older members of the surrounding community, the application says.

Touchmark on South Hill features individual living duplex-style structures with units that range from 930 square feet to 2,300 square feet of space, independent living apartments ranging from 500 square feet to 1,600 square feet and assisted living units ranging from 400 to 1,600 square feet.

Costs are variable based on size and desired neighborhood within the retirement community, Cox says.

Touchmark, which occupies 20 acres, celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2016. Parent company Touchmark LLC is based in Beaverton, Ore.

Touchmark LLC has retirement communities in nine states and one in Alberta, Canada. The company was established in 1980. More than 2,800 people live in Touchmark communities and the company employs 2,000 workers, says its website.