By Jack King

May 5, 2008 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) --
One of Carol Lynn Herrera's aunts refused to even visit an assisted living facility because their institutional reputation depressed her, Herrera said recently.

But, on entering the front door of Herrera's newly built Life Spire facility at 9151 High Assets Way NW, the aunt exclaimed, "Oh, it looks like it could be your house!"

Nothing has been spared at Life Spire to blend the safety features required of a place designed to care for older adults with the comforts, even luxuries, of life, Herrera said.

Built by Ameri Contractors, a custom-home builder that won third place in last year's Albuquerque Parade of Homes, Life Spire boasts colorful, modern Southwest-style architecture on the outside. Inside, art deco light fixtures hang from the ceilings and a spacious, terra cotta-tiled kitchen includes a wheelchairlevel microwave so all residents will be able to fix themselves snacks at their own convenience.

"One visitor told us his mom complained about going to bed hungry, because the facility where she was living didn't allow her to fix herself a sandwich before she went to bed, which she used to do at home. Here, we want residents to feel free to do that, with the help of staff," Herrera said.

Life Spire's assisted living facility is licensed by the state Department of Health to house 25 residents, but current plans are to house only 13 to give each resident his or her own room. It has six private rooms, six rooms with shared bathrooms and one suite.

Prices range from $3,500 a month, for a room, three meals, snacks and attendant care, to $6,000 for round-theclock-care and one-to-one attendant care. The facility is accepting applications.

But that's not the end of the plans Herrera, her husband, James Herrera, and Dwayne Pino of Ameri Contractors have for the eight acres on which Life Spire sits.

Within the next three years, they plan to add another assisted living facility east of the current facility and an Alzheimer's care facility to the west. Across High Assets Way to the south, they plan to build eight four-story condominiums as independent-living residences for seniors. On the ground floor of the condos there will be restaurants and retail establishments. James Herrera said they already have received inquiries from Starbucks (NASDAQ:SBUX) and an upscale hair salon.

"This is a new concept for the Albuquerque area, and we think it would offer a number of conveniences for the residents of the independent-living facility," Herrera said.

In addition to being licensed by the Department of Health, Life Spire has received a three-year accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitative Facilities, an independent, nonprofit agency.

Newstex ID: KRTB-0010-25020721