GORHAM — A four-story, senior housing project will begin to rise later this year off School Street (Route 114) in the growing town.

The Planning Board Monday voted 6-0 (Vincent Grassi absent) to approve Avesta Housing Development Corp.’s plan to construct 27 more units at its Ridgewood site across the street from the University of Southern Maine campus.

Nate Howes, an Avesta development officer, said before the meeting that he hopes construction of the 22,520-square foot building named Hillside would start by end of this year. The building, for residents age 55 and up, will have 22 one-bedroom apartments and five with two bedrooms.

The existing Ridgewood I complex has 20 dwelling units and Ridgewood II, 24 units. The Hillside project adds 20 parking spaces, upping the number to 67 spots for that Avesta campus.