Recommendations / Housing / Big Idea #1: Learning, Retiring, Relaxing

Big Idea #1: Learning, Retiring, Relaxing

Part of the "SEASONED SAINTS" initiative

HousingMilledgeville/BaldwinUnder $250,000

Overview

Create a private retirement development similar to Del Webb at Lake Oconee or Cresswind at Lake Lanier while leveraging Georgia College to build a lifelong learning partnership. The recommendation envisions a safe retirement community where retirees have housing options, amenities, academic curriculum, peer-to-peer learning, mentorship opportunities, and ways to stay active, engaged, and connected.

Action plan

Short-term
Create an advisory council made up of delegates from Milledgeville/Baldwin County, Georgia College, and the local retiree population to identify and guide a private firm. Hire a community liaison to coordinate between Central State Hospital Local Redevelopment Authority, Milledgeville/Baldwin County, Georgia College, and the private developer. Work with Georgia College to build the initial lifelong learning concept, budget, and county resource contributions. Secure acquisition of Central State Hospital property for the development site.
Medium-term
Private firm recruits developer(s). Finalize developer selection.
Long-term
Construct the private development over 2–4 years while assisting the developer with marketing Milledgeville/Baldwin County as a retirement-friendly community, developing and implementing the retiree learning partnership with Georgia College through the liaison, and securing related financial/tax statuses to separate the learning component from the for-profit developer’s operations.

Expected impact

Jobs and Economic ProsperityEconomic

Tracks potential jobs and greater economic prosperity connected to establishing a private retirement community.

Attract Outside RetireesEconomic

Tracks whether retirees from outside Milledgeville/Baldwin County are attracted to the community, creating a critical mass of retirees.

Retirees Staying and Moving to Milledgeville/Baldwin CountyCommunity

Tracks increase in the number of retirees staying in and moving to Milledgeville/Baldwin County.

Academic and Peer-Led ProgrammingEducational

Tracks retiree engagement through academic curriculum and peer-led educational programming connected to Georgia College.

High Quality of Life for Area RetireesCommunity

Tracks whether the private development provides opportunities for seniors to be active, engaged, and safe.

Critical Mass of RetireesCommunity

Tracks whether the project creates a critical mass of retirees in the community.

Retention and Growth of Retiree-Age PopulationCommunity

Measures retention and growth of the retiree-age population using American Community Survey data.

Private Retirement Development CreatedEconomic

Tracks whether a private development comparable to Del Webb at Lake Oconee or Cresswind at Lake Lanier is created in Milledgeville/Baldwin County.

Learning Partnership ParticipationEducational

Tracks participation in the learning partnership program, including mentors, classes taken, and related engagement metrics.

Retain Current RetireesEconomic

Tracks whether current retirees and those soon entering retirement stay in the Milledgeville/Baldwin County community.

Occupancy Rates in Private DevelopmentEconomic

Tracks occupancy rates in the private retirement development.

Mentorship Opportunities for Local StudentsEducational

Tracks mentorship opportunities between the retiree population and local students.

Key stakeholders

Milledgeville/Baldwin CountyGeorgia CollegeLocal retiree populationPrivate firmCommunity liaisonCentral State Hospital Local Redevelopment AuthorityPrivate developerDr. Steve Dorman, President of Georgia CollegeMike Couch, Executive Director of Central State Hospital Local Redevelopment AuthorityKolter HomesMinto CommunitiesDepartment of Community Affairs Employment Incentive ProgramEconomic Development Assistance Programs ApplicationCity/CountyCity/County Development AuthorityFall Line Regional Development AuthorityConvention and Visitors Bureau CVBLocal studentsCurrent retireesRetirees from outside Milledgeville/Baldwin CountyChampion for retirement development

Estimated budget

Hiring community liaison: $25,000 part-time or $40,000 full-time annually. Identification and hiring of private firm to facilitate plan: $89,000-$127,400 one-time. Total: $114,000-$167,400.