City hears proposal for assisted living facility

Spectrum Community Health has initiated preliminary development discussions with the City of Grand Marais and the Economic Development Authority. Mayor Larry Carlson explains.

“Spectrum is a company that both builds and manages assisted care operations in a number of communities around the state, and they gave us a proposal where they are considering building a 30 unit building here for assisted living.”

The city council discussed the proposal at their Aug. 10 meeting. The 32,000 square foot building would offer care for residents at a cost projected to be $1,500 less than nursing homes. The EDA would act as the developer, but the city has a role to play as well.

“They are asking for the city to donate a parcel of land for that building, and if that were to occur, then IRRRB said they would fund the infrastructure, getting the lot set up such that they could start building.”

The discussion is in a preliminary stage with a number of questions that need to be answered.

“We did sign a 120 day period where we said that we would not entertain other proposals. That gives Spectrum the opportunity to kinda get the specifics in line. There were a number of things that we were concerned about and wanted answered quite specifically. One, is this going to interfere with other operations that are going on right now, and in fact do we need that kind of facility. And, wanted some assurances that – they’re saying it’s going to be 20 full-time jobs, and we’d like assurances along those lines.”

If the project is approved, it is scheduled to open in the fall of next year.