Neighborhood Close Up: Monarch Walk, Chesapeake

Gladys Williams moved around for a decade before finally settling into her dream home in Monarch Walk in Chesapeake’s Western Branch. The disabled Army veteran was unable to find a handicapped-accessible home – or anyone willing to help her build one.

“McQ Builders was different. They wanted to accommodate the individual person,” Williams, 66, said of the condominium community’s builder and developer.

McQ Builders LLC broke ground on the 55-and-older development in July 2006. Upon completion, the gated community will have 64 twin condominium homes.

All units are outfitted with a security system, garage door opener, courtyard fencing and professionally landscaped yard. They are also equipped with amenities that meet the accessible-design standards of the Adults with Disabilities Act , including wide doorways, adult-height counters and lever door handles.

“Monarch Walk originated after extensive market research yielded the need for an affordable community for working active adults ,” McQ President Joe McCutcheon said .

For Williams, it became the answer to her prayers when she moved in April . McQ Builders converted the laundry room for side-by-side appliances, relocated stove knobs to the front, put a patio door off the back bedroom, laid nonskid tiles in the foyer and bathrooms, lengthened the garage,

widened doorways and

closets, installed handicap-accessible light switches and shower, and widened the driveway.

“Usually these changes are cost prohibited, but in this case the veteran was charged a very nominal fee . Consequently, she was able to access a grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs to go for the purchase of her condominium,” McCutcheon said.

Linda Gray was thrilled when she moved into Monarch Walk in May . “I’d always wanted a 55-or-better community. I like peace and quiet, and I prefer to be with mature adults,” the 57-year-old said.

Just six months after building a single-family home in a Western Branch neighborhood just five minutes away, Gray put it up for sale. She said her two-bedroom, two-bath condominium with a loft is just perfect.

Williams and Gray found their way to Monarch Walk for different reasons, but both women agree there’s nowhere else they’d rather call home.

Sandra J. Pennecke, pennecke@cox.net