Ceremonial grounds for The Ormsby, St. Elizabeth’s nonprofit retirement community at Fort Mitchell

By Andy Furman
NKyTribune reporter

The general would have been proud. That’s General Ormsby MacKnight Mitchel.

Fort Mitchell was one of seven fortifications built to protect Cincinnati during the Civil War. The fort was the site of several skirmishes between Union and Confederate forces.

And the fort is named after General Ormsby M. Mitchel, a Kentucky native who designed the fortifications. He was a professor at Cincinnati College and a respected authority on astronomy.

St. Elizabeth Healthcare and Greenbriar Development hosted a groundbreaking ceremony Friday for The Ormsby, a new luxury retirement community at 293 Buttermilk Pike.

Jill Holder, marketing director of The Ormsby, told the Northern Kentucky Tribune“The idea for the project came from St. Elizabeth; we develop, sell and will build the community for St. Elizabeth.

The nonprofit Life Plan Community was founded by St. Elizabeth and will be built on the site of the former Drawbridge Inn.

“Residents will thrive here and enjoy their golden years,” said Garren Colvin, president and CEO of St. Elizabeth Healthcare. “This project is built on compassion, success and excellence so that people can enjoy the highest quality of life and excellent healthcare when they need it.”

Lori Ritchey-Baldwin, SVP and CFO of St. Elizabeth Healthcare, added, “This project is much more than just senior living.”

The offering includes a cleaning and linen service, a multitude of social activities, a concierge service, priority access to health services, an emergency call system and 24-hour security, transport to local attractions and medical appointments, multiple dining options, a library and a business. and technology center, club and card rooms, an auditorium for films and events, beauty salon and hairdressing services and a Center for Healthy Living – fitness equipment, aerobics, yoga, an indoor pool and a spa.

And that’s why Bonnie Hoffmann is a co-founder of The Ormsby – a co-founder is an “informed thinking senior,” according to Colvin.

Hoffmann, 84, a current condominium owner in Ludlow, simply loved the lifestyle of The Ormsby.

“I like that it’s a place where I have friends and it’s close to places I like to go – restaurants,” she told the Northern Kentucky Tribune. “And one day I may need medical care. Thank God, not anymore.”

She said her children are fine with the proposed move – Charter Members have already made a deposit – and her Ludlow apartment will belong to her daughter – if she wants it.

“I still travel, I just want to be active and this seems like the place to do that,” she said.

Ormsby’s Life Enrichment team plans to provide residents with a rich mix of activities, talks and other events that educate, inspire and enrich the lives of seniors.

Jim and Joan Coates are also Charter Members. “We live in Triple Crown now – we’ve lived in Kentucky for 54 years,” 80-year-old Joan told the Northern Kentucky Tribune.

“As we get older,” said her husband, who is a year older than her. “We need these types of facilities – and our daughter and son-in-law live in Ft. Wright, so this is much closer for them.

How did the Coates find The Ormsby?

“They had a focus group at Fort Mitchell Country Club about three or four years ago,” he said. “The conversation was about a potential senior home; and we gave them our information.”

Both Joan and Jim were invited to The Ormsby’s first ‘Vision Meeting’.

“We actually looked at a senior development at Triple Crown,” Joan said, “and didn’t think it was that important.”

What she liked about The Ormsby: Their floor plans.

“These plans allow us to deliver customized solutions,” she said. ‘Plus, The Ormsby has different levels of care, so we paid our deposit.’

She seemed so excited; she pointed to her future apartment on the third floor, at the end of the floor.

Ted and Marlene Robinson – another Charter Member couple – were looking for a stress-free life.

“We want an experience in which we can both make our life’s journey,” says 80-year-old Marlene. “We are looking forward to our final years at The Ormsby – we are very excited, and it can’t come soon enough.”

Open to ages 62 and over, The Ormsby is designed to prioritize health and wellness and luxury retirement living with comprehensive health and wellness services, vibrant walkable neighborhoods and engaging social activities.

“I’ve heard about getting older,” said Charter Member Linda Vila Passione, “and I want to go out in style and with peace of mind. The attention to detail at The Ormsby is what sold us.

“So,” she demanded, “start shoveling.”

View The NKyTribune’s previous story about The Ormsby here.