(AKRON)–Construction could start in May or June on what Akron’s Mayor calls one of the largest and best projects the community has seen for some time.
The new Akron Care Center will be built on farm land along Highway Three East, just across from the Akron Fire Station. Mayor Harold Higman Thursday said a committee working on a new center for Akron area senior citizens was frugal in finances and did extensive research.
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Higman thanked John and Mary Lucken who are donating a house to be sold for the project.
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Akron Care Center administrator Gail Olson says the current 45-bed, three-story facility must have a sprinkler system for fire protection by August of 2013. If that improvement is made, Olson explained more would be required.
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The new facility is designed with a neighborhood concept to be “home-like.”
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There are 55 people working at the city’s care center. Higman says Akron wants to retain those jobs with the new care center estimated to cost six-million dollars.
Terry Glade, architect, Cannon Moss Brygger Architects, Sioux City, reviews the plans during a meeting Thursday in Akron.
Care Center Committee member Marlys Johnson says the capital campaign will run for the next 10 months. Area farmers have donated grain for the project and some have agreed to do that with future crops. Land for the new center has also been donated. Johnson said the hope is that donors will give to a multi-year campaign with pledges for three to five years.
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The current care center in downtown Akron was built in 1951.
Concept Drawings and site location map courtesy of Terry Glade, Cannon, Moss Brygger Architects, Sioux City.
