Although Brookhaven has been a certified retirement communityfor many years, one item lacking from the city’s drawing card wasthe availability of assisted living facilities for those citizenswho need some special care in their golden years but are not quiteready for a nursing home.

Now the city may be on the verge of having two such facilities tohelp meet the needs of those in the senior set.

One project, to be located in downtown, has been on the drawingboard for months. However, it has encountered board of aldermenzoning-related concerns about building height limits, whetherfirst-floor rooms would be used for therapy or residences, andother issues.

A public hearing this past Tuesday shed more light on the project,with city officials discussing the details of the zoning rules andother citizens generally voicing their support. Of particularinterest is the first-floor issue, as city officials do not want toopen the door the possibility of having to allow residences nextdoor to businesses in the downtown district.

Aldermen are expected to vote at their meeting this coming Tuesdayon the requested variances that would allow the project toproceed.

Meanwhile, a Clarksdale company is pursuing development of afacility along Brookman Drive. In hopes of garnering support fortheir efforts, Providence Development Group officials recently flewseveral community leaders to a similar site in north Mississippi tosee their facilities in operation.

However, the property site for the planned development inBrookhaven needs to be rezoned for multi-family residential use. Apublic hearing on Providence’s request is scheduled for Aug.24.

Downtown facility developer Gayle Evans is eager to move forwardwith his project at the site that has already been prepared andProvidence is hoping to close on the land sale in September andstart construction by Oct. 1.

At roughly $7 million each, both projects would represent a majorshot in the arm for Brookhaven during these difficult economictimes. Despite those woes being felt everywhere, that twodevelopers are considering investing here demonstrates the strengthand potential in our local economy.

The jobs that would be provided by the facilities would certainlybe welcome and having the facilities will boost Brookhaven andLincoln County’s reputation as a destination spot for golden yearretirees. Those facets combined could produce the economic impactequivalent of landing a nice-sized industry for ourcommunity.

Furthermore, the facilities would provide much-needed services forthe more than 120 clients they are aiming to serve.

With so much at stake, we are hopeful the zoning issues surroundingthe two projects can be resolved. That said, it is understandablethat city officials take the prudent course and allocate time toensure community interests will be best served and that thefinancial backing for the projects is firmly secured.