CAMDEN  —  Construction has commenced on a new, supportive-living apartment home at 61 Elm Street in Camden. On Friday, June 20, a groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site of the new building, which is expected to be completed and occupied by November 30.

According to Joe Curll, Executive Director of Coastal Opportunities: “Aging in place' is a term used to describe a person living in their residence, for as long as they are able, as they age. This includes being able to have any services or other support they might need over time as their needs change."

In order to accomplish this, Universal Design concepts are being employed, such as smooth, ground-level entrances without stairs, wide interior doors and hallways, and bright and appropriate lighting.

The building will showcase Eastlake-style porch and dormers, the significant historic elements from the 59 Elm Street property where the Coastal Opportunities tenants currently live. Christopher Glass, project architect, chose to reproduce these features in the building design in order to maintain the charm and character of the historic downtown neighborhood.

The property at 59 Elm Street is owned by The First Congregational Church of Camden. Coastal Opportunities has been leasing the building from the Church for the past 25 years for three residents who participate in Coastal Opportunities' programs and services. The downtown location is very important to these residents, as it assures that they have convenient, walking access to work and community services. In recent years, trustees of the Church and members of the Coastal Opportunities board of directors have been concerned about the structural wear and tear on the aging building.

Based on the findings and recommendations of several professional sources, members of the Church determined that the best solution was to raze the house. Because of the longstanding relationship that Coastal Opportunities has enjoyed with the Church, the two parties set out to find a solution that would meet the present and future needs of both entities.

On October 6, 2013, the members of the Church voted to sell to Coastal Opportunities a conforming parcel of land at 61 Elm Street, for the purpose of building this new, supportive-living apartment home. Stephen Hanscom, President of The First Congregational Church of Camden, summed up the agreement as "a mutually beneficial transaction that serves both parties in the best sense of community preservation."

For more information about this project, contact Joe Curll, Executive Director of Coastal Opportunities, at 236-6008 or jcurll@coastalopportunities.org.

 Coastal Opportunities employs about 90 staff and owns or operates 11 sites—in Camden, Rockport, Rockland, Owls Head, Hope, and Thomaston—to support individuals in residential and day programs. The primary service area is Knox County.

Coastal Opportunities provides a variety of services to adults in the day and employment program. Long-term support is provided to individuals who sort bottles at the Coastal Redemption Center. On-site day programming is provided at the Thomas F. Corcoran Center and the Olive Coates Center, both located on Limerock Street in Camden.