Taking a quick look at plans Friday before the groundbreaking for the Alameda Garden senior citizen apartment complex are, from left, Butler Township Commissioners Dave Zarnick and Joe Hasychak; Dick Stockard of Howard Hanna Realty, and Dana Frankenburg, director of government services at Hudson Companies, the general contractor.

BUTLER TWP — And with a flurry of shovels, the garden began ... Alameda Garden, that is, a $3.5 million senior citizen apartment project funded by federal money.

Construction officially began at the 4.4-acre Alameda Road property Friday morning, with representatives from the township, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Community Action Partnership of Mercer County attending the groundbreaking.

“There certainly is a need for this,” said Butler Township commissioner Joe Hasychak. “Not just in Butler Township, but in this community as a whole.”

Construction is expected to be done by June. When complete, the two-story building will have 25 units that can house one or two people each.

The apartments will be 540 square feet, featuring one bedroom, a kitchen, living room and bathroom. The building will have a central laundry room, community room and computer room.

The site, which is behind the Wendy's restaurant on New Castle Road, abuts county property, and Butler Township Commissioner Dave Zarnick said he hopes the future holds a walking trail from the apartment complex into Alameda Park.

The apartments are for seniors age 62 or older. The income requirements are $22,800 or less annually for one person and $26,050 for two people. The income figures will change annually, but Ron Errett, president and chief executive officer of the Community Action Partnership, said that the eligibility income numbers also will change, meaning someone who is eligible now will still be eligible in the future.

Gary Possage, director of HUD's multifamily housing in Pittsburgh, said he anticipates the building will have a full roster of interested candidates even before the doors open.

“There will probably be a waiting list,” said Possage, who noted that the need in the community as well as the surrounding amenities were studied before the location was selected and approved by HUD. “There is an eminent need.”

Apartments will be assigned on a first-come first-served basis of qualified individuals.

People who would like consideration should call Heather Koerber at 724-347-1959.

Community Action Partnership is the sponsoring agency. John N. Gruitza Associates of Sharon is the architect, and the general contractor will be the Hudson Companies of Hermitage.

This is the team's seventh senior apartment building, but its first in Butler County. Four are in Mercer County, one is in Beaver County and one is in Erie County.