With the support of a $1 million gift from the JCA Charitable Foundation, a major renovation is planned for Covenant Place’s CHAI building, soon to be named, Covenant Place III, JCA Place.

The $28 million construction budget modernizes the property’s infrastructure; improves life/safety with enhanced security and fire protection, updates the exterior and common area interiors and the apartment amenities with improved accessibility, new kitchens, increased storage, step in showers with seats and increased lighting. Five additional apartments will be constructed, increasing the count to 155 affordable one-bedroom units.

A resident service center will be constructed in the middle of the three Covenant Place properties, with lounge, computer stations, dining room, screened-in porch and outside patio areas for “well-ventilated” recreation space – a need identified during the pandemic.

Connecting the three buildings and resident center will be an elevated enclosed walkway, which will provide access to the Mirowitz Center and its programs, Washington University Primary Geriatric Care, RPI Therapy Services and Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Café.

“The initiative to renew and sustain the original three buildings began in 2013 and it is exciting to look forward to providing beautifully renovated senior living apartments and amenities for our community,” Covenant Place President and CEO Joan Denison said in a news release.

The JCA was part of the original collaborative that included the Jewish Federation, B’nai B’rith and Jewish Community Center that built the first Covenant House building in the early 1970s.

Ken Rubin, trustee and chair of the JCA Charitable Foundation noted, “Covenant Place is carrying on the mission of the JCA of caring for the Jewish elderly in a quality and safe environment and we are pleased to support this project and past projects.”

The Covenant Place III JCA Place project will be completed in August 2024. A wait list for available apartments is anticipated to open in fall of 2023.