Catholic Review

Inspiring the Archdiocese of Baltimore

Originally a cornerstone of Catholic education as St. Mary's Govan Parish School and later serving as a meeting place for a Baltimore council of the Knights of Columbus, the site begins transformation as current property owners, Notre Dame University of Maryland, collaborates with Brightview Senior Living, on a partnership aimed at fostering ongoing relationships between senior residents and the college. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

Notre Dame of Maryland University breaks ground on campus senior living project


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Catholic Review Filed Under: Colleges, Feature, Local News, News, Seniors

The former Knights of Columbus building on Homeland Avenue in North Baltimore shuddered when the yellow excavator gave it a tap Jan. 21. As dust fell, the excavator turned toward the building’s front entrance, removing bushes and railings with ease before taking off its roof.

Construction gondolas rest in the shadows of the iconic tower of Notre Dame University of Maryland in Baltimore, as the new Brightview Senior Living campus on Homeland Avenue is being developed in a  partnership between the two organizations. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

With those first blows, a long-planned partnership between Notre Dame of Maryland University and Brightview Senior Living began taking physical shape on campus.

“The work that you see here today on this site is the beginning of making Notre Dame of Maryland the first college or university to have a senior living community on its campus, and that’s very exciting,” said Marylou Yam, president of Notre Dame of Maryland University.

In 2017, the university purchased the building on two acres on Homeland Avenue from the Knights of Columbus, who had used the building since 1953 as a banquet hall. Prior to that, it had been an elementary school. The university was using it for extra parking when Brightview approached the school. In August 2020, Brightview agreed to a long-term ground lease of 3.75 acres of property from NDMU for construction of the facility.

“We all know the benefits of lifelong learning and social interaction and connection that contributes to both positive and emotional well-being,” Yam said. “To have this opportunity here, on our campus, and it’s a walkable, welcoming environment, is really exciting. It’s very satisfying.”

Senior residents will be able to participate in art show openings and attend sporting events at the university. They will also have the opportunity, Yam said, to enroll in classes, travel abroad or join the university’s Renaissance Institute, a membership group for adults over the age of 50 who are interested in learning and exploring new ideas.

Demolition crews start dismantling the former Knights of Columbus property located on Homeland Avenue in Baltimore. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

“Residents who have mobility issues and concerns, we are also going to be able to bring some of those opportunities here, to the center, to the community,” Yam said.

University students will also benefit from the relationship, she said, with “unique opportunities for internships, as well as service learning in fields including art therapy, nursing, physician assistant and occupational therapy.”

Austin Koo, development director of Brightview, said the company has worked closely with Notre Dame, the neighborhood and city of Baltimore on the project. A total of 171 apartment units are planned offering continuing care from independent living, assisted living and memory care. “A round-the-clock operation,” the facility will offer more than 120 permanent jobs, Koo said. 

This will be Brightview’s first senior housing community located on a college or university campus, Koo said. The partnership, he said, helps Brightview “do what we do best, which is create vibrant and connected communities.”

A college campus, he said, brings “energy, learning and relationships into the everyday lives of our residents, which has a direct impact on their quality of life.”

An angel marking the final resting place of Mary Bishop, who died in 1905 and is buried in the St. Mary of the Assumption Cemetery on Homeland Avenue, keeps watch over the former St. Mary Govans Parish School. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff)

Both students and faculty will be welcomed into the community to take part in activities, internships or to work, Koo said.

“All of that contributes to natural connections between the generations,” Koo said.

The collaboration, Koo said, is “an emerging national trend,” and Brightview is “actively looking,” for “similar opportunities” in its geographic region along the East Coast and Northeast. In September 2024, Goucher College in Towson announced a similiar partnership with Edenwald Senior Living. Plans call for 127 apartment units with groundbreaking scheduled for Spring 2026 or sooner depending on permit approval, according to Goucher’s website.

Once demolition at Notre Dame is complete, construction of the new facility will begin. Koo said it is expected to take two years to build.

“I would say sometime in 2028, we will open our doors,” Koo said. 

Email Katie V. Jones at kjones@CatholicReview.org

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