More Details Revealed For Proposed St. Joseph Senior Facility

ST. JOSEPH - More details emerged on Monday night for a proposed senior facility campus in St. Joseph.

Country Manor, along with GLTA Architects and Alliance Building Coorporation presented their plan for the facility during a planning commission meeting.

The facility would be off County Road 121, west of Kennedy Community School. It would start with 60 independent living units and 24 units for memory care. Country Manor Campus CEO Brian Kelm says it would include commercial features.

"A beauty shop and spa, a small store for amenities with a coffee shop, we're going to have a wellness area, along with other special interest areas along the campus. We really believe social gatherings and allowing folks to experience life from different perspectives is really important."

A chapel, bistro and 60 underground parking spaces were also be included in the plan. A possible expansion phase for the campus would involve adding 60 more apartment units and 24 more memory care units (120 total independent units and 48 memory care units).

During the meeting, St. Joseph city administrator Judy Weyrens said construction for the facility could start as early as this summer. The city has already secured the land for the property. Public hearings still need to be held and the city council will be asked next week to start the environmental review process.

It’s estimated the project would cost between $14-$16 million. St. Joseph made a tax abatement request for the project last month to the Stearns County Board of Commissioners.