Oppidan and Ebenezer Build a Strong Partnership: Growing Through a Pandemic

Opening a senior living community in May of 2020 is most developers' worst nightmare. But, with the support of Ebenezer Management Services, Oppidan turned a daunting challenge into one of its most successful developments.

Oppidan is an investment and development company with locations in Minnesota, California, and North Carolina. In 2015, it started working with Ebenezer Management Services, a senior living community operator. Since then, it has developed nine communities with Ebenezer Management Services, with more to come.

Pillars of Prospect Park

Navigating Challenges Together

After developing four successful communities, Oppidan and Ebenezer set out to open their largest one yet. Located near downtown Minneapolis, MN, The Pillars of Prospect Park has 283 units, 54 of which are dedicated to memory care.

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Between COVID-19 and the civil unrest in Minneapolis at the time, May 2020 could not have been a harder time to launch a new development. However, they pressed forward with 60 residents — more than they had hoped, reported Jamie Korzan, Vice President of Investor Relations at Oppidan.

Looking back, Jamie credits Ebenezer’s strong reputation for helping them attract residents. As the largest senior living community operator in Minnesota, Ebenezer has over 100 years of experience caring for seniors.

However, they are not one to rest on their laurels. Part of Ebenezer’s approach involves outreach in the local communities, including chambers, rotaries and other groups.

“They do a really good job of flooding the community to help bring awareness,” says Jamie, “That really helps drive leads so that when we're delivering a building, we see that uptick from the beginning.”

As the senior living arm of Fairview Health Services, one of the largest healthcare providers in Minnesota, Ebenezer has access to resources that most operators don’t. During the pandemic, they got access to all the necessary PPE and implemented precautionary measures even before state mandates.

“We’re able to pivot and make real-time decisions that directly affect the residents and the staff to make it a better experience. And that's because of the connection and the closeness we have with the team at Ebenezer,” says Jamie.

Though it was undoubtedly a challenging time for everyone, the pandemic did not keep Ebenezer from creating a strong community at Prospect Park.

“I think Ebenezer is a highly regarded operator, and watching them navigate COVID affirmed that for a lot of people,” says Jamie.

UofM

Building Unique Communities

In the years since COVID, Prospect Park has become a thriving community. One way Ebenezer sets itself apart from other operators is through its unique approach to each location. Being so close to the University of Minnesota, Prospect Park has a lively, academic culture and is home to many retired professors. Seeing an opportunity, Oppidan and Ebenezer created a student residency program. In exchange for volunteering their time, 10 to 15 college students live in apartments at Prospect Park.

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Some occupational therapy students work with residents on fine motor skills. Others help residents with their technology while others put on lectures in biochemistry. Regardless of how they volunteer, students provide a unique quality to the community. In addition to this program, Prospect Park also has an on-site daycare, bringing together all generations under one roof.

“There is a culture like no other there,” says Jamie, “and I think the collaboration between Oppidan and Ebenezer made that possible. It's amazing.”

Fostering connections between generations is a defining value for Ebenezer, one of its six Cornerstones of Care. While Ebenezer is flexible to the needs of each community, you can expect the same high standards no matter where you go.

United in a Shared Vision

Whether it’s a global pandemic or the recent Minnesota licensure changes, the senior living industry is no stranger to challenges. It’s how you respond to those challenges that set you apart.

“When we hit those bumps, we were always recentering ourselves back on the purpose of the community. And I think that is why it is the success that it is right now,” says Jamie.

Fueled by their vision to create a healthier future, Ebenezer is always making adjustments to improve their communities — from providing mental health support for staff to adjusting cabinet height for low-mobility residents to introducing a community golden retriever.

“Not every operator embraces a developer's ideas like Ebenezer does,” says Jamie.

It's this flexibility and commitment that’s led Oppidan and Ebenezer to create such a successful partnership. Between Prospect Park and their other locations, over 800 seniors have a community to call home.

Create Your Own Success Story

Running a senior living community requires a lot of heart and logistic expertise. Ebenezer Management Services offers both with decades of experience to prove it. Whether you’re a developer, investor, or nonprofit, consider working with Ebenezer to build or upgrade your community. If you’re looking for an experienced operator and trusted partner, let’s talk.

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