SIDNEY — The Fair Haven construction and renovation project took a big step forward on Tuesday with a bid award for new addition site development to Sturm Construction Co.
The Shelby County Commissioners voted to accept Sturm’s $375,000 bid for the project. Five bids from were received for the project. Architects Freytag & Associates previously informed the commissioners that Sturm’s bid was the lowest, according to Resolution 2017-123. This bid allows Sturm Construction to prepare the work site for construction.
“There’s a hill and we’ll build up part of it for the new construction,” said Commissioner Bob Guillozet. “Sturm will use the dirt off a hill across the road which is county-owned property.”
Guillozet said Sturm will remove the top layer of soil and use the clay dirt underneath to build the hill up. Once all the clay dirt is removed, the top layer of soil will be returned its original location.
He said the ground work should be starting yet this spring.
The management of the facility, along with Freytag and Associates, took their time developing the blueprints to ensure every square inch of new construction was helpful to both residents and staff.
“We owe it to our current and future residents to painstakingly plan out as many details as we can think,” Administrator Anita Miller said. “We want our current residents to only have to move once and be able to fully enjoy the new building and the new advancements we are making.
“Shelby County is best served by making our best preparations for the future and, where possible, doing it right the first time,” she said.
The multi-phased project will add 24 private rooms for short-term rehabilitation, with a dedicated gym and dining space for residents receiving rehabilitation. The first phase alone will add 68 private rooms and four companion suites for couples.
In order to accomplish the overall goal, the two oldest wings of the building will be torn down so the new construction will connect to the rest of the building, which is staying in place.
The plans for the first phase include more options for dining, such as a la carte menus and increased capacity for short-order dining in the main dining rooms, residential rooms, and also in decentralized small bistro areas.
The environment will have a “modern farmhouse” theme with functional porches so that residents can enjoy the courtyards on campus with security.
“Fair Haven is dedicated to person-centered care, so we wanted to take the opportunity with this new building to factor as much resident choice into the environment as we possibly could,” Miller said.
Memory Care will get significant investments as part of the renovation aspect of the second project phase. Renovations will be done to provide private rooms, and more space for planned activities.
“Long-term care is a dynamic industry and it is crucial that Fair Haven’s building match its leadership’s intention to continue providing high-quality care for our residents for the foreseeable future,” said Miller. “That is the goal of this project and, with the commissioners’ decision, it is one step closer to completion.”
Bids for the new addition, said Guillozet, will be out for bid in a couple of months. Specs for the building are still being drawn up.
