Seattle assisted living residents told to move because of apartment conversion

At 91, Jim Lycett suddenly needs a new place to live.

He moved to Sagebrook Senior Living at Ballard four years ago.

"At this age, you realize soon enough that the rest of your life might be spent right here. In my case it would be with two cats in a one room apartment. That's hardly exciting but I came to terms with it and I like it," Lycett said.

On Tuesday, Lycett and 47 other residents were told the assisted living center will close March 31.

Leisure Care, Sagebrook's management company, told KIRO 7 the building owner is converting the building to regular apartments and those who need assisted living, about half the current residents, must move out.

"If I can be graphic, it's a pain in the ass, because this came out of the blue," Lycett said.

Lycett said the services are good and the price fair.

He says other options look more expensive.

"Where we go from here is the problem," Lycett said.

Leisure Care said it is working with residents to help them find new homes.

A few blocks away, Merrill Gardens has a new senior living development and says it has space and is waiving a fee for people moving in from Sagebrook.

Merrill Gardens says at least four Sagebrook residents are planning to move in, and another six are likely to make the same decision.

Sagebrook's building owner, ACP Ballard LLC, didn't return KIRO 7's emails or calls but sent a statement through Leisure Care saying it was working with placement agencies and being proactive for families.

"We want to do the right thing for our residents," the statement read.

Twenty-six employees are also affected by this closure.

Cox Media Group