On Thursday, local and regional officials with the Salvation Army came together for a short ceremony to dedicate the Salvation Army Ogden Silvercrest Residence near downtown Ogden.

Jason Piecuch, property manager of Ogden Silvercrest, told the Standard-Examiner that many contributed to making the dream of Silvercrest in Ogden a reality.

“It came about through a vision of many people working to bring this fine building here and get the job done and to house low-income, independent senior citizens who just want a nice place to live,” he said.

He said that move-ins started on Oct. 27 and that 25 residents had moved in as of Thursday with more to come.

Rob Nielsen, Standard-Examiner

The Standard-Examiner reported in August that there are 52 total apartments at Silvercrest Ogden that include a bedroom, living area and bathroom that promote independent living. Residents pay only 30% of their income for housing, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development pays the difference.

“The senior housing will offer on-site activities such as case management/service coordination, social gatherings, recreational activities and educational workshops,” the Standard-Examiner reported in August. “The residence includes seven open lounge areas, a large community room, a library, a wellness room, an exercise room, a private gathering room, a laundry room, a garden area with raised planter boxes for tenants, outdoor patio and an on-site surface parking lot with 43 stalls.”

During his dedication address, Salvation Army Territorial Commander and Commissioner Douglas Riley said that the Salvation Army’s work in Ogden isn’t new, nor are building dedications.

“The work here in Ogden started in the early 1900s and has gone through several different buildings along the way,” he said. “In 1930, they had to dedicate a new building, in 1962, another new building, and then here we are, dedicating a new building.”

He said that this time is very different.

Rob Nielsen, Standard-Examiner

“This one brings the value of the word ‘home,'” he said. “Home is a powerful word. It’s a meaningful word. It’s an emotional word. But it’s also a physical word as well. … This one is unique because this one is a place where people from city officials and those who live here will call it home. A place where 52 residents will have a shelter over their head, and they will be physically and emotionally attached and socially attached to this place.”

Piecuch said Silvercrest Ogden also has another distinction from other independent living facilities.

“We have a heart,” he said. “We care about our seniors’ health. We want them to succeed in housing. We want them to grow in their housing and call this not just an apartment, not just affordable housing, but home.”

Susan Lawrence, executive director of Silvercrest Management, told the Standard-Examiner there are 35 Silvercrest facilities throughout the Salvation Army’s Western Territory and that this is the first in Utah.

“We really love our residents,” she said. “We do this not for any other purpose but for our communities so we can serve seniors. We love our seniors. We like to spoil them. We give them care. We care about them as individuals.”

Rob Nielsen, Standard-Examiner

She said she was excited to see a Silvercrest residence come to Ogden.

“We’re in nine other states, so this is the 10th state, and I came out here with a vacant piece of land,” she said. “Now we have this beautiful building. I’m very happy with the results. I’m very happy we’re going to be serving our community, and our residents really are appreciative of having this type of affordable housing.”

Following the ceremony, the public and other interested parties had an opportunity to take a look around the new complex.

Among those looking through the new apartments was Laura Scorsone, who is set to move in to Silvercrest Ogden next week.

“I’ve been watching it since they started building it because I go to church right next door,” she told the Standard-Examiner. “I watched them break ground.”

She said a desire to be closer to her church inspired her to apply and that she’s looking forward to moving into her new apartment.

“I think it’s beautiful,” she said. “I’ve never lived in anything this beautiful.”

Piecuch said he’s excited to see the transformation that’s come to this area over the last year and a half.

“I can’t believe it’s here,” he said. “Taking it from a pile of dirt in a vacant lot to a building that’s housing people is just amazing. It’s a good thing.”

Piecuch noted that Silvercrest Ogden is still taking applications from seniors over the age of 62. Anyone interested is encouraged to pick up an application in person from Silvercrest Ogden at 2655 Grant Avenue.