The Homeplace of Midway (Homeplace) has kicked off a $3 million capital campaign to begin a $15.5 million Phase II project to expand its facility. 

Homeplace made the announcement at the Oct. 20 Midway City Council meeting, held annually at the Homeplace location.  

The project will see the construction of 97 units in duplex and quadplex buildings and a significant enlargement of the hub of the community, the Lifelong Learning and Wellness Center, on a 15-acre site the company already owns. The project will not require any zoning changes. Each duplex or fourplex unit will have two or three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a garage that opens into the kitchen, and will be equipped with technology innovations.

Homeplace is a nonprofit senior community operated by Christian Care Communities (CCC), itself a nonprofit that has been providing care to seniors for 141 years. CCC operates 10 senior communities throughout Kentucky, including the one in Midway, according to James Patton, vice-president and general counsel for CCC. 

“We really want to still be innovative, taking innovation to the next level (in these new homes),” said Tonya Cox, vice president of operations for CCC. “All of these will be ‘smart homes,’ where technology helps seniors live in a safer and healthier environment, with one goal to avoid hospital stays, which can often lead to the person needing to move to a higher level of care.”

 Currently, Homeplace has 50 residents who live in four cottages with 12 bedrooms each, where residents with different levels of care live together: independent, assisted living, skilled nursing and memory care. As Cox pointed out, this mixed use of care level residents in “green homes” was pioneering when Homeplace first opened, and “We are continuing this pioneering approach with this new phase.”

Noting the market study Homeplace undertook before formalizing its plan, Councilmember Ian Van Steenbergh, a real estate professional himself, said the “‘Age in Place’ model is really impressive, and very comprehensive on what the market shows. It is a real model for Midway for folks to be able to stay here and free up inventory for existing homes. It is really special.”

Cox said the homes will be priced at $263,000, with a monthly service fee to cover nearly all costs, including lawn, appliances, new painting and the like.

Patton said, “There is nothing like this within a 15-mile radius of Midway, and it will keep families together longer and healthier with the intergenerational park and playground, the smart home technology, and Lifelong Learning & Wellbeing Center, a hub of vibrant engagement for residents, staff and the entire Midway community.”

The target market is an average age of 75, married or single, who are independent and want to stay in the area (a 15-mile radius of Midway). Cox said there will be purchase plans, and there is a guarantee of a 75 percent return on investment. Equity can be used to pay for more care as level needs increase, and the accumulated wealth can be left to heirs.

The price is also within the definition of “affordable housing” as it is being defined by the Kentucky legislature as it studies the dearth of affordable housing in Kentucky.

“There just isn’t any potential to build 100 homes in Midway without cutting into our farmland, and this should increase options and home-buying opportunities as older residents (sell their homes and move into a Homeplace unit),” Midway Mayor Grayson Vandegrift said. “This is a part of the original development plan, and there will be no stress or strain on our infrastructure. This is a great project for Midway and Woodford County.”

Cox said some of the cutting edge innovations that will be available, some as options, include: “smart toilets,” which can monitor urine for infections, which he said are a leading trigger for hospitalizations in seniors; keyless locks operated from a smartphone; “Nest cameras,” that when turned on, enable staff to monitor living areas to make sure all is safe; a wall screen that can be used to look like art and then morph into a screen for a facetime call with family or friends; and, an LEQ robot, which can act as an in-home assistant. 

Homeplace will also offer an Elders and Equine therapy program for memory patients. Known as Hippo therapy, which studies show has positive impacts on memory patients, such as reducing the need for medications, diminishing aggressive behavior and providing social interaction opportunities. Though still in the planning phase, Patton said there are licensed hippotherapy therapists in the area, and a partnership with the Midway University equine program will also be explored.

The project will also include a community park for both residents and the Midway community.

Cox said the plans for the newly enlarged and renovated Lifelong Learning and Wellness Center is needed because they have outgrown the current building. The new center will include more family and community gathering rooms, a gym, a caterer who can be used for a variety of functions for both families and the community, and a chapel.

Cox and Patton said the groundbreaking for the construction of infrastructure such as roads, lights and utilities will begin in the fall of 2026. A model residence, either a duplex or quadplex, will also be built. The goal is for residents to be able to begin moving into their new home in the fall of 2027. 

Homeplace said it will announce when homes can be purchased, including “prepay” options for those not yet ready to move from their existing home.

“The Homeplace is the only area continuing care retirement community, and we know couples don’t always age at the same pace,” said Mary Lynn Spalding, president & CEO of CCC. 

“Phase II provides the opportunity for couples to have the benefit of receiving different levels of care as their needs change, while continuing to live on the same campus.” 

Trick or Treat

Midway will hold Trick or Treat on Oct. 31, from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Homeplace will hold a community Trick or Treat and best decorated home event on Oct. 30, from 6 to 7 p.m. 

No council meeting

There will be no City Council meeting on Nov. 3, with the next meeting to be held on Nov. 17, at the regular place and time, City Hall at 5:30 pm.