Developers have announced plans to build a retirement community on the Tacoma waterfront.

PRCN  (Presbyterian Retirement Communities Northwest) has won approval by the Foss Waterway Development Authority to build a complex of 108 independent-living apartments, 35 assisted-living apartments and 17 private memory-care suites.

The project fits PRCN’s goal of “trying to develop unique properties that offer great site amenities,” said Paul Aigner, PRCN’s vice president of development. “This location offers water and Mount Rainier views, a waterfront walking path, and pedestrian-friendly access to a revitalized downtown area with shops, restaurants, museums and the University of Washington-Tacoma campus, which will allow our residents to be lifelong learners and continue their pursuit of education.”

After a brief due diligence period, the purchase of the property is expected to close and the pre-selling process will begin, with a possible opening of the community in 2019, PRCN officials said in March.

The new development is planned for a one-acre site

PRCN has three existing retirement communities in Seattle – Skyline, Park Shore (in the Madison Park neighborhood on Lake Washington), and Fred Lind Manor (Capitol Hill).

PRCN was formed by the Presbyterian Church in 1956 as a non-profit, faith-based organization (it since has deaffiliated with the church) to help provide housing and services for seniors. It most recently opened Skyline, which since 2009 has offered independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory support.

Foss Waterfront Development Authority is the coordinating agency for projects on sites that emerged from an environmental cleanup 10 years ago of the Thea Foss Waterway.