Retirement community filling up

Published 11:00 am Monday, April 9, 2001

“Even though not a single foundation is in the ground, all but six of 41 planned condominiums being built in a new Freeland senior housing community have been sold.The $14 million project, which will include the condominium community and an assisted living apartment building, has generated what its backers say is an unprecedented amount of interest. Freeland real estate developer Erl Bangston, who is building the condominiums, said Thursday that almost all of the planned 1,000- to 1,300-square-foot dwellings are sold and the remaining units are set to sell fast. Meanwhile, the 78-unit assisted living building, which is being built by Langley’s HMH Properties, is getting a similar amount of interest from South Whidbey’s elderly.I have never had the level of interest, said Jim Mock Jr., who owns HMH along with his father, Jim Mock Sr. It sure makes it easier.Mock said he has talked to about 40 people who are perfect candidates for living at the HMH facility. Unfortunately, with the project about a year away from completion, HMH cannot take any reservations.This week, construction workers finished installing curbing for the development’s streets. The project’s sewer connections have also been installed.Bangston’s project is on a faster track. Bangston said Thursday that he expects construction to begin by mid-April. The first condominiums should be ready for occupancy by mid-July. “