North Lake Charles will see the results of a $19.1 million investment by the beginning of 2025.

Calcasieu Heights will be a 72-unit gated retirement community located next to the Calcasieu River, between Riverside Park and Combre Fondel Elementary School.

The community is being developed by MG Development Group. Jeff Glover, MGM Development Partner, said that Calcasieu Heights will be state-of-the-art.

“It will be one of the most advanced senior retirement communities in this region.”

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter said that Calcasieu Heights will cause a “ripple effect,” and is the first step to bring more growth into north Lake Charles. When we talk about trying to bring back services to certain areas of the city that have seen disinvestment, things like grocery stores, things like professional offices, investments like this help those other things happen.

“It’s going to be monumental and phenomenal for this area, and it’s been a long time since we’ve had an announcement like that in this area of the city.”

Mark Eckard, Lake Charles City Council vice-president, District G, called Calcasieu Heights “a beautiful, productive development” that will serve not only north Lake Charles, but the entire region.

Glover said the benefits will be seen as soon as construction begins, with over 345 jobs slated to be created.

Additionally, the development will contribute more than $50 million back into Lake Charles, aiding recovery efforts, he said.

“We’re very excited about being able to make a difference here and help restore Lake Charles in the aftermath of Laura and Delta.”

With the damage that those storms caused in mind, Calcasieu Heights will be built to be hurricane and flood resistant, with the ability to handle up to 120 mile an hour sustained winds and excessive rainfall. Back-up power and water supplies will also be installed.

In addition to its storm resistance features, the development will be a certified green retirement community. The energy -efficient appliances will lead to savings for the residents, Eckard said.

“If we can free up some disposable income for our seniors, that’s huge, and that helps them with their quality of life.”

This is the main goal of Calcasieu Heights: to improve the quality of life for the residents.

The retirement center is for senior citizens 55 years and older. 12 units will be one-bedroom and 60 will be two-bedroom, and 20 percent of the units will be handicapped accessible.

The number of handicapped accessible units is greater than most.

“The industry standard is only 5, but we recognize that more than 50% of all senior citizens over the age of 65 have some type of disability,” Glover said.

It will feature a $500,000 senior citizen playground that will serve as an outdoor occupational and physical therapy facility, in addition to an indoor exercise facility.

Local healthcare partnerships will play a large role at Calcasieu Heights. McNeese State University and other local medical facilities will offer medical care in the on-site telemedicine suite and through remote medical monitoring.

Modern security surveillance systems that connect to local law enforcement and the first department will be installed, as well as free WiFi service in the common areas.

Calcasieu Heights is set to break ground in the fourth quarter of this year or the first quarter of 2024.

Rental rates will be determined once construction is complete.