Zoroastrians Abroad
Retirement residences
For Zoroastrian immigrants in North America who are now approaching retirement age or have already retired, a senior living facility is envisaged on the property of the Zoroastrian Heritage and Cultural Center (ZHCC) in Houston, Texas. "A one-acre plot will be carved out of the existing 10-acre property” so that the retired residents can have "easy access to the ZHCC building with a prayer room, a library, a hall, an atrium, a children’s playground, basketball and volleyball courts, and a soon to be built atash kadeh on the premises. Fortunately, some kerbs, paved parking area, easy access to utilities, etc are already in place,” as per a background paper readied by Rustom Engineer and Kersi Engineer, both of whom had served as chairperson of the Zoroastrian Association of Houston (ZAH). Kersi being a real estate investor and developer, and Rustom being an engineer by profession, both of them have worked on this plan and also offered to supervise the construction and implementation of this project on a volunteer basis.
Kersi Engineer (left) and Rustom Engineer
Blueprint of proposed residential facility
Expecting that those in the retirement bracket may live for another 30 years during which time good health and financial independence are crucial to pursue their cultural and social activities, the residential complex will comprise six single storey buildings of two units, each unit having two bedrooms, two baths, hall and kitchen. Designed with handicap and wheelchair access, the units will have a senior friendly, low maintenance interior and exterior construction, landscaping, safety lights, etc. There will be a separate front and back paved porch for each unit with assigned covered parking space. The price of each unit is expected to be $ 100,000 (Rs 50,00,000) and whilst the unit will be individually owned by the member who buys it, for the common areas, there will be a monthly maintenance fee. Proposed buyers are expected to provide some basic information and pay a non-refundable deposit to show real interest in the project.
The Home Owners Association will develop this property and sign a 99-year lease with ZAH. Whilst the project will be self-financed, ZAH will be given compensation for the parcel of land to be used for housing. Envisaged as a "not-for-profit development, everything will be at actual cost without mark-ups,” specifies the information sheet. Since there will be a cap on future resale price, owners cannot expect to earn more than three percent profit.
The estimated date of completion being summer/fall of 2015, those interested in the project should contact Kersi Engineer (zzkersizz@aol.com) or Rustom Engineer (rustom47@hotmail.com)
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