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Ribbon Cut, River Terrace Retirement
Community Created in Wooded Setting

By JIM BARBIERI
One of the largest investments in real property here signalled more progress with the launching into service this spring -- enterting a field that is growing via the population trends.
Where thick woods had stood just a couple of years ago, a large and beautiful retirement community complex had risen in their midst.
Recenetly, thus with a sizable crowd on hand, the ceremonial ribbon was cut for the official launching of River Terrace Retirement Community -- a nearly $15 million enterprise on the 60-acre site between Ind. 116 and the Wabash River, just northwest of Bluffton.
William Brockmann and Dr. Donald Dian shared the ribbon ceremony spotlight as the top officials for the complex, which was in the planning and launching stages even before the sale of Caylor-Nickel Medical Center.
A part of the proceeds from that sale went into the River Terrace project.
Even though weather conditions have been and were less than ideal in this spring’s launching with landscaping tasks going on in the background of the ceremonies, the facilities had a warm and inviting look and drew a lot of rave notices.
Acclaimed was the the big centrally-located 56,000-square-foot main building with its entrance and commons areas the ideal location for the Monday activities and linked to three handsome wings, each of which has also its own separate entrance area in addition.
Included are the 44-apartments independent living wing, the 58-apartments assisted living wing and a nursing home center with 30 beds -- a 132-unit facility for the stages in the advance of senior life.
These wings were toured by many at open house, with guides on hand along with a number of people who already had moved into the complex since it opened its doors the prior week.
Also toured and praised were the separate structures -- duplex cottages surrounding in part the the central complex. Occupants can have use of the central or common features, including superb kitchen and dining facilities, or maintain a complete or partial level of independence at their choosing.
The apartments in the main building provide a choice of sizes and arrangements -- two-bedroom and one-bedroom, two baths and one-bath, etc., in varying sizes of choice.
All appear to have fine views of woodland tranquility.
Taking an active part in the ribbon event were leaders of the James S. Jackson Co. Inc. of Bluffton, general contractor for the project. Included were James D. Jackson and Thomas Jackson and Dennis “Ding” Bulger, the project manager.
The design of River Terrace was by Collins-Gordon-Bostwick Architects of Cleveland -- the architects who designed the additions to Caylor-Nickel over the years.
Mayor Ted Ellis was a participant in the debut via his association in the project organization along with his city role
Refreshments were enjoyed by many attending in the home-like surroundings of the commons, right off the commons lobby and kitchen-dining areas.
A bond issue of $14 million was sold readily in the financing of the project, which includes sprinkler fire protection and connection to city utilities amid top environmental standards, all at the project’s expense. The giant project -- creation of a virtual self-sufficient city in itself -- carved into the appealing woodland -- was built in not much over a year and almost right on the targeted time schedule.