Suffolk’s newest senior community, The Commons at Centerbrooke, will be ready for residents next spring.

&uot;Construction is moving along well,&uot; said Richmond developer Earl Ferguson, president of Artcraft Development Co. &uot;It’s going to be beautiful. We’re delighted with how it looks so far.&uot;

The 132-apartment, four-story complex, still under construction near the intersection of Godwin Boulevard and U.S. Route 58, is now accepting reservations in its temporary office located in the Liberty Baptist Church parking lot.

As construction moves into the final months, Ferguson and his management team will begin visiting Suffolk to market The Commons to local seniors and community groups.

&uot;Word of mouth is best advertising of all,&uot; he said. &uot;We’ve already had a good amount of traffic, considering we really haven’t started advertising yet.&uot;

The senior housing community is one of several projects under way in the Centerbrooke Village development. In coming months, a Ruby Tuesday, Wendy’s, a hotel and other businesses will be opening on the 50-acre parcel.

Designed for people over age 55, The Commons at Centerbrooke will give the growing number of Suffolk senior citizens an affordable place to live, said Ferguson.

The apartment complex will not be an assisted-living facility, Ferguson stressed. Although physician referrals will be available, no medical facilities or personnel will be available on site.

&uot;This community is designed to appeal to active, independent seniors who want to be around other active, independent seniors,&uot; he said. &uot;They are people who want to be active but don’t want the worries of household maintenance or cutting the grass.&uot;

Most of the 1,000-square-foot apartments will have two bedrooms, two baths and a private patio or balcony.

&uot;Centerbrooke is focused on providing the feeling of a neighborhood and a community,&uot; said Ferguson. &uot;We will host free resident events, such as cookouts, holiday events and periodic community education classes.&uot;

Residents at The Commons will be able to take advantage of all sorts of amenities, including a fitness center, computer room, arts and crafts center, a library, walking trails and an outdoor terrace.

&uot;We want to make the transition as easy as possible for our residents,&uot; Ferguson said. Centerbrooke’s staff will be able to provide assistance with moving, decorating, existing home sales and apartment customizing, he said.

allison.williams@suffolknewsherald.com