An assisted living complex, The Fountains of Chelsea, will open at the intersection of Highways 280 and 43 in Chelsea.

Chelsea Mayor Earl Niven said construction should begin sometime in 2009.

“The land has been purchased. The site plan and everything has been approved,” he said.

Construction should last 18 months to two years, so the facility should open in late 2011 or early 2012, Niven said.

The facility will sit on 40 acres of land, and will cost in the neighborhood of $40 million to construct. There will be no cost to the city.

Niven said the builders expressed interest in coming to Chelsea.

“They came up here several times, and I provided demographics for our area,” he said. “They just looked at our location right outside of Birmingham. There’s a market for seniors in this area.”

Niven said the facility would be a real boon to the city because other businesses will sprout up around the assisted living facility. There are already plans for a retail establishment close to the facility, as well as a doctor’s office.

“The location will bring money to Chelsea, which will generate revenue,” he said.

Fountains of Chelsea officials have planned the site so traffic around the facility will work its way into the normal flow of traffic on Highways 43 and 280, Niven said.