Construction begins on Lieb senior apartments

January 21, 2004

Construction began last Wednesday for Petaluma Ecumenical Properties' (PEP) newest development -- the Richard S. Lieb Senior Apartments. Located at 210 Douglas St., the $4.2 million project is a 23-unit rental development for low-income seniors.

The complex includes 22 apartments for seniors and an on-site manager's unit. Once construction is completed this fall, the complex will offer accommodations to limited income individuals 62 and over. Midstate Construction is the general contractor.

A consortium of federal, state and local public entities provided the financing for the apartment complex including: the City of Petaluma, the California Department of Housing and Community Development HOME Program, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's 202 Program.

The original design of the complex was by the late Dick Lieb and his firm of Lieb & Miller. Cogenesis Design Group, headed by Wayne Miller, completed the design and shepherded it through the approval process.

At the construction start, Len Svinth, President of PEP's Board of Directors, thanked members of the City of Petaluma staff and City Council and the representatives of the various funders. "This kind of collaboration proves the dedication of all concerned to help our neediest citizens," he said.

Vera Ciammetti, executive director of PEP, noted that "the City of Petaluma has supported PEP from its earliest beginnings back in 1978, including funding each of the other nine properties PEP currently owns and manages, serving over two hundred residents."

Those interested in applying for an apartment should contact the PEP office at 762-2336.