Austin: Enhanced senior living gives us the opportunity to build a stronger community

Cupertino has a long history of being at the forefront of innovation. It is the home of Apple Computer, after all.

Now, in 2020, I see everyone around me adapting and changing to meet the challenges of COVID-19 and it makes it obvious that we are a community that continues to lead by growing, innovating and changing to meet the situation. It is the perfect time for us to move forward and create a bold, new vision as our city emerges from this pandemic.

Westport Cupertino, an enhanced senior and family living project, has been proposed for the site at 21267 Stevens Creek Boulevard. The project will include 20,000 square feet of ground floor retail and 206 senior living units, including 48 units offering affordable senior living and 27 memory care residences, as well as 88 units of single-family homes (row homes and townhouses).

Not your typical senior facility, Westport Cupertino meets the housing demand for seniors in our area, offers an affordable option for those who need it and creates a diverse community range of townhouses and rowhouses that will bring together people of all ages.

Amenities match the lifestyle preferences of today’s seniors by offering a broad range of choices including an onsite library, theater, lounge, restaurant, roof deck and terrace, medical offices and exercise rooms providing a wide range of activities and support for senior residents. Electrical vehicle charging stations and bicycle parking are a tremendous asset in helping to attract and retain families and individuals to the community, and the commercial space will have a small bistro for all to enjoy.

A facility like this really offers something for everyone.

The project’s location near Memorial Park, the Cupertino Senior Center and across from De Anza will provide cultural and educational opportunities for the all residents of Westport Cupertino. Plus, it is close to the beautiful Blackberry Golf Course. There will be plenty for older residents to enjoy while also having the opportunity to interact with young families and individuals within the community. And for those that want to go a little farther out, the Cupertino Shuttle is a great option.

Community support is the key to continued growth in our city. Having lived in Cupertino for most of my life, I feel Westport Cupertino is an example of a project our population needs that will enable us to think outside of the box while creating opportunities for intergenerational interaction that help us build a stronger and more engaged community. Innovating an aged site into something new and beneficial can only serve to strengthen us all.

While I speak as a resident and from a community point of view, I also think Westport Cupertino could be a great addition for local businesses. The project is part of a movement to reinvent retirement living. With options to suit multiple generations, Westport Cupertino is a great way to help stimulate our local economy with new client opportunities for small businesses while helping us to create a more inclusive and diverse community.

A 44-year resident of Cupertino, along with her husband and two children, Donna Austin is a retired elementary school teacher and volunteer and was a member of the Cupertino Planning Commission and president of the Cupertino Historical Society. Austin currently serves as a board member of the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce.