Adult home to open in facility long run by nuns

Buffalo News,   August 2, 2006  by Harold McNeil

      Plans are in the works to reopen a home for senior citizens in Williamsville that was formerly run by Franciscan nuns.

       Peregrine Health Management of Syracuse will take over the former Holy Family Adult Home in Amherst State Park off Mill Street in the village. The facility, which will be rechristened Pilgrim's Landing Senior Living Community, is tentatively scheduled to open Oct. 1, according to Stephen S. Bowman, president of Peregrine.

       "We were drawn to this location, in part, because of this park-like setting, but also to the spiritual environment fostered by the Franciscan Sisters," Bowman said in a news release issued Tuesday.

       Peregrine, a 10-year-old business that operates about a dozen similar facilities in New York State and Maryland, will spend about $1.5 million to renovate the building.

       "We plan to start construction as soon as possible," Bowman said. "That will include upgrading interior finishes, adding new carpeting, furniture, wallpaper and art work. We also plan on taking unused space in the building and turning it into a dementia unit."

       The former Holy Family Adult Home permanently shut its doors in September 2004 after determining that it could not afford the millions of dollars in renovations that it would cost to update and maintain the building.

       The home had been operated for over a century by the Sisters of St. Francis, starting on Reist Street in Williamsville. In 1937, residents were relocated to the former St. Mary of the Angels Motherhouse at 400 Mill St.

       Bowman said developer William Huntress purchased the property from the nuns about six months ago with the intention of operating an adult care facility from the building.

       "He fell in love with the property, but then recognized that he does not have that kind of experience [at operating an adult care facility]," said Bowman.

       Peregrine will purchase the property from Huntress, Bowman said. Once the renovations are complete, the building will consist of 94 private assisted living rooms. Residents will receive three meals daily, personal care supervision, housekeeping and laundry service, social activities and programming for those with dementia.

       Pilgrim's Landing will be the third assisted living center for senior citizens run by Peregrine. The company already operates Peregrine's Landing on Cayuga Creek Road in Cheektowaga and Quaker's Landing on Milestrip Road in Orchard Park.

       Bowman said Peregrine aspires to make Pilgrim's Landing the most affordable assisted living facility in Western New York with rates that will start at $1,700 per month for private rooms.