2017 – Ground Broken for 100,000 sq ft of New Living Space

After careful planning, Franke Tobey Jones broke ground on a new state-of-the-art Care Center with skilled nursing and memory care as well as a new independent living apartment building. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on September 12, 2017 with an expected opening in early 2019. 

The historic shovel used by Franke Tobey Jones to break ground on the Tobey Jones building in 1924 was wielded by President & CEO Mark Gustafson as he lifted the first shovelful of dirt. Board Chair Robert Pentimonti and Campaign Chair Dr. Philip Phibbs were among the crowd.

Also welcomed were project partners Marathon Development, BPCI and LRS Architects as well as many current residents and community members who were eagerly awaiting the completion of the new innovative building.

The new health care and memory care building was designed to look like large homes rather than one large institutional building.  The architecture was designed in their classic Tudor Style, to be a natural extension of the entire campus look and feel.  When complete, this building will be home to 43 skilled nursing residents and 28 memory care residents.

“Our new health care and memory care building will not look or feel like your standard skilled nursing institutional building, where you walk down a long corridor with rooms on both sides,” said Mr. Gustafson.  “The design is innovative and will definitely not be your grandmother’s nursing home.”