During the summer of 2010, Lake Delhi, IA fell victim to a great flood which destroyed their dam. Consequently, their fishing and boating haven was gone and well as their main economic resource. Our senior Landscape Architecture studio took on the project of conducting extensive research and creating a series of proposed solutions for the town. My group created a proposal for a municipality with the dam restored. As a part of our proposal, I designed a retirement community.
The proposed area for the retirement village is in the northwestern area of the municipal boundary (highlighted in red). The village is sited on a highpoint overlooking Lake Delhi and is adjacent to a highpoint overlooking Lake Delhi and is adjacent to a main access road which offers residents easy access to Manchester and Delhi. The high elevation offers viewsheds of Lake Delhi.
Age demographic for Lake Delhi, IA.
According to a study done by Iowa State University Extension measuring the trade area capture, or the estimated number of retail customers, the number of customers visiting the area greatly exceeds its population. Due to past retail trends, we suggest building a market area within the retirement community in order to encourage economic growth, The market could not only attract more residents to the new Municipality, but also customers from the surrounding area.
Department of Economics, Iowa State University. "ISU Extension Retail Trade Analysis Reports," http://www.recap.iastate.edu/retail/"
My overall concept for the retirement village for Lake Delhi, IA is to provide a hierarchy of living options as well as recreational opportunities to residents. Additionally, the road and pathway is structured to provide easy access throughout the village and municipality.
Level 1 - Retirement Homes: For more active seniors who are able to function independently and want to take advantage of the lawn, street, and services as well as the trails, community center and market space.
Level 2 - : For fairly active seniors who need some additional help, assisted living would offer private living spaces with a nursing staff, food court, and an internal green space.
Level 3 - Nursing Home: For fairly inactive seniors who need help on a routine basis, the nursing home would offer private rooms with additional car services. The proposed retirement village is clustered around a pedestrian market which offers retirees and other community member access to retail shops and a farmer's market without the hindrance of car traffic. A trail system links the retirement homes and park spaces together while offering scenic vistas of Lake Delhi.
Overall Plan for Retirement Community in pen and ink.
Perspective of proposed farmer's market in pen and ink.
Perspective of proposed retirement community center in pen and ink.
