Click photo to enlarge

DeVries Place, the $34.1-million low-income senior citizen residential community, is nearing completion at 163 N. Main St.

"We're looking at a completion date of early June," said Sean Thornton, project manager for Foster City-based developer Mid-Peninsula Housing Coalition. "We're hoping to have people move in by mid-June to early July."

He added full occupancy of the DeVries Place's 102-rental units, plus one manager's unit, would likely be done by the end of July.

"Right now, we're just putting in the finishing touches interior painting and carpets and so forth," Thornton said.

DeVries Place is available to qualified, low-income seniors 62 years of age and older. For those wishing to occupy the apartments, first preference will be given to Milpitas residents, then those who work in the city, then all others.

To reside at the apartment complex, maximum income limits for one person is $29,720, and rises to $45,840 for five people.

"We've received 575 applications to date," Thornton said, adding those qualified have been placed on a waiting list.

DeVries Place rental units include 92 one-bedroom units (maximum three occupants per unit), nine two-bedroom units (maximum five occupants per unit), one studio apartment (two occupants per unit) and one manager's unit. A 70-stall parking area is also on the grounds.

Amenities include a movie theater, a computer lab, an arts and crafts room, a fitness room, and a rooftop landscaped porch.

Advertisement

"There's lots of community space; there's two community rooms," Thornton said.

Depending on the size of the rental unit, he said monthly rents at DeVries Place will range from $557 for a studio; $498 to $796 for a one-bedroom unit; and $597 to $954 for a two-bedroom unit.

To get the project started, in fall 2006, relocation of the three-story historic Smith-DeVries House occurred. The 1915-era home of an early doctor, over the course of a week, was rolled 50 feet toward North Main Street.

Relocation of the Smith-DeVries House paved the way for further work on the residence itself. Work on the historic house included removal of exterior stucco, and carpentry work was done to strengthen the frame.

In addition, the Smith-DeVries House saw new wood framing, electrical work and plumbing upgrades. Eventually, construction of the four-story building and first-floor garage surrounded the historic house.

According to Thornton, applications are still being taken for DeVries Place.

Applications can be obtained at Milpitas City Hall, the Barbara Lee Senior Center, online at http://www.midpen-housing.org or at the city's Web site www.ci.milpitas.ca.gov.

For further information about DeVries Place, call Mid-Peninsula Housing at 438-8947.