WOBURN - The original developer of a proposed assisted living housing project for senior citizens at the St. Anthony's parcel in North Woburn has pulled out due to financial concerns.

A second developer has stepped up, however, and plans to move forward with a project of its own which is expected to be unveiled next year, according to Stephen Braese, the broker who is handling the real estate transaction for St. Anthony's.

"The original deal fell apart, but we did have a back up bidder," said Braese, of Century 21 Crowley on Pleasant Street. "It's back on with some new players."

Braese said the new developer, who he could not yet identify, intends to move forward with a senior housing facility.

"There's no desire on behalf of St. Anthony's to take a second bite of the (re-zoning) apple," said Braese. "I can tell you that the new developer intends to stay the course with a senior assisted living facility."

In September, the City Council approved a zoning change that created a "Senior Housing Overlay District" on a 6-acre parcel which St. Anthony's parish intended to sell to a group including Benchmark Assisted Living and Hawthorne Partners.

Hawthorne proposed 150 units of varying degrees of care from semi-independent facilities to high-maintenance for Alzheimer's patients. Moving forward, however, the downturn in the economy prevented Benchmark from taking the next step, which would have been the submission of a special permit for the project.

"Absolutely," said Braese, when he was asked if the economy with the primary factor in the halt of the Benchmark proposal.

St. Anthony's officials said they hope to use the proceeds from the sale of the 6-care parcel to build a new parish center, which will be used for religious education and parish events.

Braese said plans for the new version of the assisted living facility will be unveiled next year, probably "in May, June or July." The City Council still has special permit granting authority for any congregate housing facility in the Senior Housing Overlay District on the St. Anthony's parcel.

St. Anthony's is located off Main Street in North Woburn, just to the south of Ferullo Field