Work on the Legacy: Tenants could move in by Feb. 1

• The Old Hospital

(John M. Steiner / The Sun) The entryway of the old Jamestown Hospital is undergoing renovation. The building is expected to reopen as the Legacy Center, including business and residential space, by February.

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Construction continues at the old Jamestown Hospital, with residential tenants likely to move into the rechristened Legacy Center by Feb. 1.

“For as complicated a project as this is, I have to say it’s gone really well and we have a good team that’s working on it — and that’s a real blessing,” said Jessica Thomasson, director of Lutheran Social Services Housing.

When it’s complete, the $10 million Legacy Center will include space for 51 apartments for seniors, as well as commercial space.

Some of the residential tenants are ready to move in as soon as LSS gives them the go-ahead, Thomasson said.

Construction will continue through the winter on the rest of the nonresidential spaces, and in the spring, the landscaping will begin. LSS hopes to have the Legacy Center complete by June.

Roers Construction, based in Fargo, is the primary contractor for the project, which includes about 40,000 square feet of commercial space.

The Jamestown Regional Medical Center and ME’s 21st Century Learning Center, a day care, are already operating out of the building. James River Community Center and Senior Services will likely move into its expanded space in February as well.

That leaves about 10,000 square feet in the core of the Legacy Center free for tenants, including the hospital’s old main entrance and the old boiler room.

It’s the same space the James River Valley Library System was investigating as a possible library site in the spring, though the JRVLS Library Board has since decided to pursue other options. LSS was holding the area aside to see if the library wanted it, but has resumed looking for tenants.

“It’s really great space in the building. It’s that premier front-and-center space,” Thomasson said.

One of the keys to the redesign of the building was ensuring that it was flexible, because people’s needs will change over time.

Combining residential and commercial uses of the building, and combining different age groups with senior housing, a senior center and a day care, was intended to keep the building a vibrant community, Thomasson said.

“It’s going to be exciting to be in a big building, and mix with the kids,” said Laurie McGuire, executive director of the James River Community Center and Senior Services.

The senior center is already working toward the move ahead, as staff shreds excess paperwork and sheds unnecessary items. They’ve been cleaning out their current building, owned by Stutsman County, since the summer.

The senior center will have new kitchen equipment at its new location, and additional tables for the dining rooms.

Most things, however, will have to be moved — the contents of 11 offices, three party rooms, a full kitchen, a full snack bar and lots of catering equipment.

“We’re going to need lots of help,” McGuire said. “We’d love volunteers.”

The senior center manages the Jamestown senior center, as well as the Harvey and Streeter senior centers. It also runs public transit in Stutsman, Wells and Sheridan counties.

The new building will provide the organization with much more space, and will allow it to expand its catering operation, too.

“We’re just hoping that once we get in, and that housing is full, that our seniors will go up and volunteer to read (at the day care) and the kids will come down and do Christmas caroling for the seniors, so it’s just that mix of everything that’s going to be in that big, nice building,” McGuire said.

When the building is complete, LSS plans to open it to the community to let members of the public see it, Thomasson said.

To volunteer to help the senior center, call 252-2882.

For more information about the Legacy Center’s residential and commercial space, call 701-271-3207.

Sun reporter Kari Lucin can be

reached at 701-952-8453

or by email at

klucin@jamestownsun.com

Tags: jamestown hospital, local news, news, legacy, local