EMPORIUM – Work is winding down on an expansion and major
renovations at the Guy and Mary Felt Manor in downtown
Emporium.

In an era when several downtown storefronts now sit empty,
community leaders welcome the addition of an assisted living
facility at the 35-year-old manor.

Nearly four years have passed since the plan was first developed
by the board of directors. After property east of the Fourth Street
manor was acquired, a blueprint was developed to build 10 assisted
living units, while expanding the 40-resident capacity of the
current skilled care facility.

Demographic studies confirm that the population requiring
assistance with daily tasks is underserved and is likely to grow as
Cameron County’s population ages.

“We’re excited about bringing this new service to the area,”
Felt Manor Administrator Kim Jones said. “It will provide a choice
for those residents who require a limited amount of care. We’ll
also be adding some jobs.”

Each resident will have his or her own entrance, bedroom,
bathroom and kitchenette. There will be a common dining area and
activity center, as well as laundry facilities and other
services.

“It’s a place of residence that will be independent, but
supervised,” Jones said.

Meanwhile, renovations at the manor include a larger dining room
and nurses’ station, kitchen improvements, relocation of
administrative offices and a new occupational and physical therapy
room.

Jones said the manor has already heard from numerous people
interested in moving into the new facility or relocating a family
member there.

Exterior work on the new section complements the facade of the
manor.

Carl E. Swanson and Sons of Bradford is the general contractor.
Architectural work was done by Habiterra, the same firm that
designed the current structure. The estimated price tag of the two
projects is $3 million.