HUNTINGDON VALLEY, PA—NAI Mertz worked with First Baptist Church of Huntingdon Valley to sell a 4.45-acre parcel owned by the church. The property was sold to Artis Senior Living, which plans to develop a 72-bed memory care assisted living residence specializing in care and treatment of patients with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. The sale price was $850,000.

The NAI Mertz team of Jeffery Licht, SIOR, senior vice president and Adam Lashner, vice president, represented First Baptist Church of Huntingdon Valley in the sale. This is the second time NAI Mertz negotiated the sale of the 4.45-acre parcel.

"We first sold this site to First Baptist Church of Huntingdon Valley in June 2004 to accommodate its proposed expansion," says Licht. "Unfortunately, their dreams to build a new facility on the site never materialized, even though approvals were obtained to construct a 12,000-square-foot state-of–the-art house of worship. After receipt of final approvals, the timing was not right for the church, but I believe good things eventually come to good people, and I am confident that their dreams will one day come true.”

The Rev. Bruce Wayne Petty, Sr., pastor of First Baptist Church of Huntingdon Valley, says he is glad the land will be used for a facility that will contribute to the betterment of the community.

"Although the church was not able to build an edifice in the Huntingdon Valley community, we are happy the facility proposed by Artis Senior Living will be one that helps Alzheimer's patients and their families, as more and more people suffer with this affliction every day," says Pastor Petty.

Groundbreaking for the 72-bed community is anticipated early this summer and will mark the company's fourth Artis community under construction or in operation. Artis Senior Living of Lower Moreland will join future communities in Evesham Township, NJ; and Boca Raton, FL; as well as an existing community in Mason, OH.

“It has been a pleasure to work with NAI Mertz on this transaction,” says Don Feltman, Artis president and CEO. “We are confident that this new memory care residence will be a great addition to the community and are thankful for the warm welcome the Township has provided. We look forward to serving the senior citizens and families of Lower Moreland Township and the surrounding area."

Located on a cul-de-sac on Lieberman Drive in Huntington Valley, Montgomery County, the property sits directly behind the Huntingdon Valley Post Office on Welsh Road.