‘Community’ would be located on Jefferson Ridge in Arsenal; developer says application ready soon

The developer of an assisted-living and memory care residence proposed for property in the Benicia Arsenal historic district said the firm’s formal application should be ready for submission in a couple of weeks.

The project would be a homecoming of sorts for Neil Huettenhain, president of WoodCrest Development, Folsom, whose business card bears the initials “B.H.G.” after his name.

“It stands for ‘Benicia High Graduate,’” Huettenhain said.

Huettenhain graduated in 1984, taking his diploma to Southern California where he took his first steps in his career, beginning as a laborer and working his way up to vice president before becoming president of WoodCrest.

He originally built tract houses, but as the economy changed, he and his partner, Rick Beasley, realized they needed to adapt.

In 2009, they turned their focus to assisted-living complexes on the West Coast, with the thought of making those residences more like resorts.

Now, Northstar Rancho Cordova is about to open, and the company is breaking ground on two other residences. Two more are in the processing phase.

But for Huettenhain, the Benicia project is personal. And he knows getting the residence built won’t be easy.

After a Sept 13, 2012 workshop on the project by the Historic Preservation Review Commission and the Planning Commission, Beasley submitted a request March 25, 2013, for a zoning ordinance and General Plan consistency determination, to make sure assisted-living and memory care centers would be compatible with regulations governing the property at Jefferson Street in the Lower Arsenal.

Charlie Knox, then the city’s community development director, decided Marsh 27, 2013, that a “Residential Care, General” use would be consistent with both the Office Commercial zoning and the Lower Arsenal Mixed Use category in the General Plan.

Knox also determined that the zoning and the General Plan were consistent with each other.

Those decisions were appealed by APS West Coast, also known as AMPORTS, operator of the Port of Benicia, to the Planning Commission on May 9, 2013; but the panel concurred with Knox.

AMPORTS appealed that decision June 18, 2013 to the City Council, which backed the Planning Commission’s decision.

“I think Benicia is the right place for it,” Huettenhain said, describing the historic buildings and the water views he anticipates would be enjoyed by residents and their families.

Huettenhain said his company has hired an architect from Oregon to incorporate his hopes that the buildings’ exteriors would be welcoming and a blend of the historic architectural designs not only of the Arsenal, but also of the Presidio in San Francisco. If the project is built, it would neighbor the Arsenal’s guard house.

Huettenhain referred to the project as “the community,” saying it would consist of two buildings that could reach 240,000 square feet and house up to 250 units. A commercial kitchen and dining areas would provide residents with three restaurant-style meals daily and snacks in between. The kitchen also would be able to cater to special dietary needs.

In keeping with the concept of making the residence resemble an “all-in-one” resort, plans call for libraries, theaters and Internet lounges; salons and barber shops; sundry stores; massage, aerobics and physical therapy rooms; and recreation areas that include places for games.

Huettenhain also envisions walking trails and outdoor lounges, places where residents can eat outdoors, seating and gardening areas.

Not only would the residents not mind the nearby industrial activity, he said, many would find it fascinating entertainment.

But they wouldn’t have to depend on that for amusement. Among the activities he and his partner have planned are wine and cheese tasting, movie nights and day trips to Benicia’s downtown shopping area.

How those activities would be presented would be modified as operators learn more about the tastes and preferences of the residents, he said — whether they want bingo or rounds of Texas Hold ’Em.

Huettenhain’s ties to the project are many. He went to school with the children of property owner Richard Bortolazzo. He’s watched the parents of his classmates age, and he has heard from those who realize that there are few options in Benicia once they aren’t able to live independently.

He also has heard from classmates who are busy parents, working and taking their children to after-school activities. When elderly parents are in assisted-living residences that are a half hour or longer from the family’s home, visits usually happen on weekends, if then.

“Nowadays, it’s hard,” he said. Yet he’s seen that nothing delights residents more than seeing their families, especially grandchildren.

Huettenhain has noticed that some assisted-living sites aren’t welcoming to guests, and offer them little to do or see on their visit.

“We want to encourage visits,” he said, describing the views, the courtyard, dining opportunities and special events he expects Jefferson Ridge will offer residents and visitors.

He’s also spoken to Larnie Fox, executive director of Arts Benicia, and suggested that Benicia artists could have rotating exhibits on the lobby’s walls. Each new exhibit could be opened with a reception, he said.

Residents who want to get out and about in Benicia would have that opportunity, he said.

He said assisting-living residents and those in memory care don’t drive. So shuttle service would be among the amenities. Residents would get to see Benicia’s parades, visit the Certified Farmers Market and remain part of the city they have learned to love.

“We want our community to be energetic — and out of their rooms,” he said, contrasting his vision to that of a care center where residents remain indoors with little to do to keep active.

Though some residents suggested the Arsenal wasn’t the ideal place for such a development, Huettenhain said he’s spoken with many Benicia residents, including downtown business people, who said, “It’s about time.” His former classmates have said they can’t wait to see the building done, not only for parents but also for their own future needs, he said.

“This takes care of our most valuable asset,” he said. “Local Benicians don’t want to go to Fairfield or Concord.”

He said the project would benefit Benicia in practical ways, too. Permits and fees could provide the city with upward of $3 million. During the two years of building, he said, construction workers would be employed here; not only would they have jobs, they’d also spend money at Benicia’s restaurants, shops and gasoline stations.

The finished project would have 160 employees whose schedules would be staggered so staff would be on duty around the clock, he said — and additional traffic would be spread throughout the day.

Those employees would need day care and other services offered by local companies, he said.

Other areas wouldn’t be impacted, he said. No stress would be put on the school district, and the residents aren’t likely to be involved in crime, he said.

To reduce impact on local emergency services, Huettenhain said his company would contract directly with ambulance services for medical transport should a resident need more care than the on-duty staff is able to provide.

“I’m excited,” he said, admitting that despite his success elsewhere, he misses Benicia.

“I wanted it to be unique, but fit within the area,” he said. “When people drive up, I want them to want to go in there. This needs to be welcoming.”