Girard Manor groundbreaking set

By John W. Goodwin Jr.

The new development will be near a senior citizens’ complex.

GIRARD — A groundbreaking ceremony for the Girard Manor senior housing development will be at 10 a.m. Friday in the 400 block of Washington Avenue.

The senior-living complex has been anticipated for several years. The Trumbull Housing Development Corp., in conjunction with Trumbull Metropolitan Housing Authority, is developing the $7 million, 40-unit low- and moderate-income complex.

TMHA currently operates an 80-unit facility, Northview Senior Citizen high-rise, nearby on North Avenue. The new facility will help take some of the demand off Northview, housing authority officials said.

Girard Mayor James Melfi has said seniors now have an 18-month waiting period to get into Northview.

The city recently cleared an old, dilapidated school from the property to make way for the new facility.

The city entered into a contract with the housing authority and Dr. Chander Kohli, property owner, for the demolition of that building. Dr. Kohli maintains ownership of some of the property on which the school once sat.

The city received about $5 million in state funding to remove the school building.

During the groundbreaking ceremony, brief comments will be made by Melfi and Donald W. Emerson Jr., housing authority executive director.

Other scheduled participants are Gilbert L. Rieger, Girard Manor Inc. board chairman and vice chairman of the TMHA board; Jerry Lambert, Girard Manor board member and services director for the city; Anthony Perrone, Girard Manor board member and vocational specialist for Life Skills Center of Trumbull County; Tom Ross, Trumbull Housing Development Corp. board chairman and TMHA board member; Charlene W. Allen, Girard Manor board member and director of the Alliance Community Outreach Program; and the Trumbull County commissioners.

jgoodwin@vindy.com