PAW PAW, Mich.- After sitting empty for several years, the former Bronson Nursing and Rehabilitation building at 99 Walker Street in Lawton, Michigan is receiving a $3.3 million investment to undergo extensive renovation before it reopens as an assisted living facility. The facility is expected to open in the summer of 2021 and will bring 50 new jobs to Lawton.
Community and business leaders gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony held March 15 to celebrate the forthcoming facility renovation and the joint effort between the Village of Lawton, Van Buren County and Market Van Buren to secure a developer for the site.
“We’re very excited to have developers who see the potential both in this building and the community of Lawton. This project is not only bringing significant financial investment into our community but also 50 new jobs,” said Zach Morris, Executive Director of Market Van Buren.
“We are excited to be overseeing a project that will not only have a positive economic impact in the community but will also support a growing community need. We know there is research showing an increasing need for safe places where our community’s elders can receive the care they need while still living near their families,” said Tom Stanek, Director of Kalamazoo Operations at Owen‑Ames‑Kimball Co. and Chairman of the Board at Market Van Buren.
The renovated Walker Street building will open under the name Blueberry Hill Assisted Living. Renovations will be overseen by Owen‑Ames‑Kimball-Co. and designed by Schley Nelson Architects. The renovated building will offer private, sanitary spaces for residents. Blueberry Hill resident rooms will be private unless a resident wishes to share their room with another person, such as a spouse. Additionally, the building will feature a positive pressure system to help prevent the spread of germs between resident rooms and common spaces.
Once the renovation is completed, Blueberry Hill Assisted Living is expected to house 80 individuals. Additional capacity may also be made available to house senior citizens that receive care through a local nonprofit.
“We are excited to be overseeing a project that will not only have a positive economic impact in the community but will also support a growing community need. We know there is research showing an increasing need for safe places where our community’s elders can receive the care they need while still living near their families,”
