KMS DESIGN GROUP PROJECTS
Westminster Place At Parkesburg Parkesburg, PA
Westminster Place at Parkesburg is a 72 unit apartment building for low income seniors. The project is a collaboration of two non-profit organizations, Housing Development Corporation of Lancaster, and Presbyterian Senior Living.
The project involved close cooperation with Parkesburg Borough to remediate and recycle this former industrial site. Using the Green Communities Initiative for guidance, KMS worked as part of a LEED-type team involving the cooperation of the entire design and construction team from project inception.
KMS worked closely with the Borough and Housing Development Corporation to prepare a plan that makes efficient use of this urban site while incorporating it within the community fabric.
KMS prepared a plan siting the building on the street line of Parkesburg’s main street. Parking is located in the rear, and restores connections to Parkesburg’s street and alley grid system. A community pathway offers accessible pedestrian connections to the adjacent public park. The site is within easy walking distance to shopping, parks, restaurants, bus and train transportation. The outdoor and landscape features specified by KMS include integrated Stormwater Best Management Practices such as vegetated swales, minimal curbing, oil and debris separators and an underground stormwater basin.
An emphasis on locally sourced native trees, shrubs and perennials rather than lawn gives this dense site a natural, park-like feel. KMS also specified locally sourced site furnishings such as lighting with low-glare cutoff optics, walkway pavers made from recycled rubber, and benches made from recycled steel. The new facility has become a beautiful addition to Chester County’s senior living opportunities.