A new $23-million senior living campus is coming to the area.

Grand Rapids-based Leisure Living Management said yesterday it has begun construction on its 26th senior community in Michigan with the development of Cascade Trails Senior Living, at 1225 Spaulding Ave. SE in Forest Hills.

Set on an 18-acre campus that connects to miles of trails, the 150,000 square feet of space includes two main buildings and three duplex condominiums.

The 104-unit neighborhood will feature independent, assisted and memory care living options.

The units include 14 rooms operated under Leisure Living's Moments Memory Care program, a specialized memory care service for those experiencing memory loss, Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. The units also include 30 assisted living units, six independent living townhomes and 54 independent living apartments.

The assisted living apartments will have kitchenettes, while the independent living suites offer full kitchens, as well as access to community dining rooms.

All rooms and common areas will feature modern equipment and technology. The living spaces are also barrier-free and at ground level.

Residents will be able to transition between living spaces as their health needs require.

Other amenities include craft rooms, an exercise facility and a fishing pond.

"This is being built with seniors' needs in mind," said Colin Kraay, Leisure Living's chief operating officer. "It's very intentional in that it allows seniors to choose their living environment and take part in the process of planning for their health as they age. It gives seniors complete control of care on a single campus.

With the company’s main offices located in Cascade, Kraay said when the opportunity presented itself to open a facility in their “own backyard,” they “had to act.”

About 70 staff are yet to be hired for the facility, including caregivers, med passers, cooks and culinary specialists, a maintenance director, housekeeping staff, a community development director, a director of resident care, an office manager and an administrator.

The company is taking reservations for an anticipated opening in 2020.

The architecture companies on the project are J Visser Design and Seidel Architects. Omega Construction is handling contracting work. RD Interior Design is handling the interior design. Financing for the project came through Chemical Bank.

Leisure Living Management

Established in 1995, Grand Rapids-based Leisure Living Management is a family owned company with 26 locations across the state and about 1,200 staff.