Some people think it’s a hotel. Some have inquired about it being a casino. And others have asked if it is both.

 

The construction taking place on the back end of White Oaks, close to the rear entrance off of State Route 131, is none of the above. Instead, it is work that’s taking place on assisted living facility that is not only coming in with a high construction price tag, but with a large amount of size.

 

Likely later this calendar year, Bridgeport will be home to The Harmony Assisted Living Facility. It is part of a 90,000 square foot, two story building. Although the name of the project may sound new, the building and the background isn’t.

 

A building permit for the facility was filed in July of 2018 and the total of the permit was for $13.9 million. At the time, however, the name of the assisted living facility was going to be “The Crossings at Bridgeport.” It has since changed, said Bridgeport Community Development Director Andrea Kerr to The Harmony.

 

“It’s going to be a wonderful addition to the development and for those watching the construction they may have noticed there are three sections being worked on,” said Kerr. “Section A is about 75 percent complete. Section B is 40 percent complete and Section C is 25 percent complete.”

 

Those numbers have the new business set for a fall opening, according to Aubrey Holmes. Holmes represents Smith/Packett, which is a group that oversees senior living facilities and their construction.

 

“It should be open in October if the necessary (health) licenses are secured,” said Holmes.

 

Holmes said everything is progressing nicely on the project.

“The work is going great; it’s on schedule. We have a very good contractor that is managing things well,” she said.

 

March-Westin is the contractor. Kerr said the work she’s seen done by the contractor from the plans is impressive. Last month, she did a tour of the work inside the structures that are clearly visible from Route 131 as well as parts of Interstate 79.

 

“When I did the walkthrough I was thoroughly impressed with the design of the building,” said Kerr. “It’s not just cookie cutter rooms or a cookie cutter layout. There’s been thought put into the design that you saw immediately with the archways between rooms that had detailed craftsmanship to it.

 

“It has a really nice modern look to it,” she continued. “There’s been a lot of thought put into the architecture of the building to make it a welcoming building.”

 

Meyer Architect out of Ardmore, Pa., is handling the architectural role for the facility.

 

The facility will have 110 units, which may have led some to believe it was a new hotel going up. Kerr said the group, which is based out of Roanoke, Va., is already accepting leases.

 

Editor's Note: Work is shown being done on the latest addition to White Oaks, including the trailer where leasing information is available.