Journal Staff
A developer is proposing to redevelop the Devine Street School lands into a campus featuring an independent seniors living complex and a dementia-care facility.
The $41-million proposal calls for up to three buildings on the three-acre site at 321 Devine St., likely starting with a five-floor structure providing the latest in dementia-patient care, Overture Investment Inc. spokesperson Francesco Chieffalo told city council last week.
“That’s including care beds for seniors with Alzheimer’s and dementia, and apartments for both independent seniors and seniors who require assistance in their daily lives,” he said.
Overture was seeking an Official Plan amendment and intends to submit a site plan soon containing more details.
Chieffalo said once it’s fully operational the complex would generate 138 full-time health care jobs with salaries of more than $5 million annually.
It would also provide training partnerships with Lambton College and students in its health-care programs.
Overture, a privately owned Canadian real estate investment company, bought the property at 321 Devine St. last May.
It had previously been owned by local businessman Charles Dally, who had engineering and architectural work done for its possible conversion to residential units.
Dally bought the property from the Lambton Kent District School Board in 2012 for $50,000.