Independent Healthcare Properties (IHP) and Morning Pointe Assisted Living are moving forward with infrastructure development for the new Morning Pointe of Chattanooga on Shallowford Road and The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence.
“We are determined to begin site excavation and proceed with the first phase of construction despite the recent weather challenges,” said Greg A. Vital, president and CEO of IHP and Morning Pointe. “Our development team is in place and is comprised of Chattanooga-based companies that we have worked with on previous projects throughout the Southeast.”
Professional services are being provided by Neuhoff Taylor Architects, PC; East Tennessee Specialty Builders, general contractor; and CityScape Development Services, project manager. Others companies include civil engineers MAP Engineers, landscape architects Barge Waggoner Sumner & Cannon, Inc., environmental engineers Thompson Engineering and geotechnical engineers S&ME, Inc.
Phase one of the project includes a new $9-million assisted living community on approximately 10 acres on Shallowford Road. The new building, with 62,000 square feet, will offer 77 assisted living apartments. Upon completion, residents of the existing Morning Pointe of Chattanooga will relocate across the street to the new facility.
Phase two of the project will then commence as the current building will undergo a $2-million renovation and become The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence with 60 units. The construction and renovation projects are anticipated to be completed in about two years, with the new Morning Pointe assisted living opening estimated for January 2015. Plans also call for future construction of a medical-related office building.
“This project will create about 200 temporary construction jobs,” MR. Vital said, “and create 85 new careers for the Chattanooga area.”