Five months away from completion, a new senior living project in Redmond has begun renting units that will enable senior citizens to live independently, or with medical assistance.

Juniper Springs Senior Living, located on NW 23rd Street, has been planned for the past four years by Eugene-based Compass Senior Living and partner company Paradigm Properties. It is one of the few facilities in Redmond that offer three levels of care under one roof — independent living, assisted living and memory care.

Redmond was selected from extensive market research, said Will Forsyth, Compass vice president and general counsel.

“We started out the process of comparing the number of existing senior housing to the overall population,” Forsyth said. “Redmond was right there on top.”

There is a need for senior living communities in Central Oregon because the region has seen an influx of senior citizens coming here to retire, said Susan Rotella, executive director for the Council on Aging of Central Oregon.

From 2010-16, the number of people who are 65 and older rose by 58 percent, compared with a 29-percent increase statewide, she said.

“Our Meals on Wheels program has seen the numbers in Bend go down and the numbers in Redmond go up,” Rotella said. “It’s because of the increased cost of living in Bend, especially if they rent.”

That’s not news to Jeanne Wafford. The 82-year-old works at the Redmond Senior Center. She currently lives in a 50-unit senior apartment building in Redmond and goes to the senior center to work and to socialize.

“I wish I could live in the new Juniper center. Some can. We have info about it here at the center,” Wafford said. “I just don’t have the money for it.”

The Juniper Springs living community will offer three kinds of housing at its two-story 96-unit project. The facility will include 60 apartments in assisted living, 12 two-bedroom cottages for independent living and 24 memory-care studio units. On-site will be a library, exercise facilities, a bistro, hair salon, walking paths and areas for reading and card games. The units are pet-friendly, though the company does charge a monthly pet fee, according to the company’s website.

Rents range from more than $6,000 a month in the memory care unit to $2,500 a month for a two-bedroom independent cottage, according to the company’s website.

“It provides living choices and options for our growing population base. It also creates property taxes to help provide essential governmental services,” said Jon Stark, Economic Development for Central Oregon Redmond area manager. “As our community matures these types of choices are important to our lifestyle and livability of our area.”

Compass, which was founded in 2013, operates 21 senior living centers in seven states. The company is building two more projects in Central Point and Juniper Springs, Forsyth said.

“We feel our project will be really well-received by the community,” he said.

— Reporter: 541-633-2117, sroig@bendbulletin.com