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New facilities coming to North BranchBy MaryHelen Swanson North Branch is going to grow ñ in more than just residential ways, that is ñ if the county board is successful in its current endeavors. The Chisago County Commissioners June 5 gave the nod to conceptual plans for a new long-term health care facility to replace Green Acres and a new government complex to be located in North Branch. For months now, the commissioners have been meeting with Steve Mork, the countyís special projects coordinator, about the need for a new long-term health care facility, discussing the merits of remodeling the present facility or building a completely new facility. Green Acres County Care Center has been owned by the county for 25 years and run for the past 17 by the Board of Social Ministry.While it is still structurally sound, it is nearing the end of its life, said hired consultants. The recommendation is to purchase land elsewhere in North Branch and build a new facility which will provide all the requirements of todayís long-term care, including single occupancy rooms. In concept, the new facility could include 100-120 beds for nursing care, transitional care, inpatient and out patient therapy, hospice beds, complex skilled care beds and dementia care. The proposal will probably include a 40-unit Alzheimerís and general assisted living facility attached, at both subsidized and market rate, a medical office and potentially an additional 30-unit senior apartment complex. The government building, commonly being called the ìNorth Branch Presence,î will house numerous county offices with other potential tenants including state and federal offices, non-profit agencies, youth and family service offices, agricultural offices, and a job training center. County offices that might be included are Health and Human Services, Probation, Parks, HRA, an information and license center, Heartland Express and Extension Service. Shared meeting and common rooms will reduce costs for the county and for those who wish to occupy space in this building. In supporting a resolution last week, the commissioners gave Mork authority to acquire two parcels of land in North Branch, to retain professional services to design sites and develop plans and specifications for the two buildings, and to proceed with a plan for replacement of Green Acres. The county is proceeding with these projects contingent upon ownership and financing of the projects be accomplished in partnership with, or independently, by the Chisago County Housing and Redevelopment Authority/EDA and that no property will be purchased until the funding source is identified and/or secured and the impact on property taxes is determined to be acceptable to the county board. The commissioners intend to continue their contract with the Board of Social Ministries for the operation of Green Acres. ©ECM Post Review |