SALEM, Ohio – Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey said she has seen too many lifelong residents leave the city as they have aged, knowing they will need more care than they get living at home.
She said she sees a big need for the newest Shepherd of the Valley community, a $62 million project underway on 34 acres on the edge of the Salem bypass, U.S. Route 62.
Shepherd of the Valley celebrated the project with a groundbreaking Wednesday. The community will have 36 independent living villas, 52 independent apartments and 36 assisted living suites.
“They can move in as an independent villa, and then if they do need help in the future, or maybe if their caregiver, their spouse is not able to do that anymore, they can move into the assisted condos and still have some freedom and independence and be part of the community and socialize,” Dickey said. “It’s going to be a wonderful thing.”
The community will also have a clubhouse for activities and socialization.
“It’s really hit all the major things that seniors are looking for, so Salem’s happy,” Dickey said, noting the community is also a great fit for the neighborhood that backs up against it to the south.
“Today is just a great day, and I just want to thank Shepherd for coming to Salem and investing in our community,” Dickey said, adding that housing has been one of the biggest challenges in the city and elsewhere. “And there is no other age group than our seniors that are growing faster and need housing that meets their needs and allows them to stay in the community.”
Mark Dodd, vice president of DeSalvo Construction, said this project is a complete campus, which includes 18 separate buildings, and construction will begin with the first five independent villas.
With the dry, cooperative weather over the past few weeks, the property has already been cleared; building pads are in place; and foundations will soon begin.
While bidding for the project’s multiple phases has yet to begin, Dodd said the goal is to involve numerous local subcontractors. Some villas started now will be completed next year, but Dodd said the majority of the larger buildings, such as the independent apartments and the clubhouse, will not be completed until 2027. The celebration marking the near completion of the entire project is slated for the end of 2027.
The first five independent villas are already spoken for with money paid, according to Rich Limongi, CEO of Shepherd of the Valley. And there is already a list of more than 50 people who have expressed an interest in moving to the Salem community. Limongi said the different types of homes will meet the needs of various types of seniors and their families.
The independent villas will range from 975 square feet to 1,465 square feet.
“At the heart of it all is our clubhouse, which is dedicated to health, wellness, dining and engagement,” Limongi said. “We hope that it’s going to be a space where neighbors can come together, where friendships can grow and their lives will be enriched again. This community is being built with purpose. It’s going to create jobs. It’s going to bring new energy and vitality to Salem and, most importantly, it’s going to give seniors a place that they could proudly call their home.”
Joe DeSalvo, president of DeSalvo Construction, said this is the company’s biggest project right now, but not its only one. DeSalvo is working on Trumbull Career & Technical Center’s expansion project, as well as projects on both the third and fifth floors at Mercy Health – St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, including rooms for state-of-the-art equipment for the new neurological suite and new imaging suites. DeSalvo is also teaming up with Mercy Health for a new Sleep Center in Boardman. Additionally, DeSalvo also will begin a renovation project for the visitor stands at Warren G. Harding’s stadium after the fall sports season.
DeSalvo said the company has partnered with Shepherd of the Valley for about 20 years, for both small renovations and repairs and large expansion and construction projects.
“It’s been a great relationship,” DeSalvo said, adding the construction company takes health care projects seriously because they or their loved ones may need those facilities one day.
“Having a community like this, where folks can remain social, to keep them engaged, that will translate into longevity, and that’s an important part of it,” he said.
Pictured at top: From left are Rick Thompson, board president of the Shepherd’s Foundation; Joe DeSalvo of DeSalvo Construction; Salem Mayor Cyndi Baronzzi Dickey; Joey DeAbate, Shepherd of the Valley board president; Rich Limongi, CEO of Shepherd of the Valley; Lauren Flauto, director of marketing, sales and communication for Shepherd of the Valley; Andy Bednar of Baker, Bednar, Snyder and Associates; and Paul Adamic, CFO of Shepherd of the Valley.