Farmington Officials Approve Agreement for $12M Alzheimer's Care Facility

Farmington city officials approved an agreement Monday that could bring a $12 million Alzheimer's/dementia care facility to the former 47th District courthouse property. 

Balfour Senior Living offered $425,000 for the 3.87-acre site. The Colorado-based company operates independent and assisted living, skilled nursing and Alzheimer's/dementia care facilities. Plans call for razing the 14,000-square-foot building on the property. 

Last month, company founder and CEO Michael Schonbrun told Patch that his wife's family is from Michigan, and the company is expanding because "we thought folks in Michigan would appreciate the quality of what we can provide ... We think Michigan has a good future going forward." 

The proposed facility would have a main entrance with four wings separated by fenced courtyards. Company officials said last month that the 56-unit, one-story building could accommodate 60 residents and would create 45 jobs.

Council member Greg Cowley voted against the proposal. He wanted to see a residential development, which he believes would funnel more revenues into the school district and provide more consumers to shop downtown. Last month, he noted the city has a shortage of housing stock and said his colleagues "sold out" the downtown by supporting Balfour's proposal. 

"I don't think it's a good use of the land," he said Monday. Cowley also wonders what kind of burden the facility will place on the Public Safety Department. 

City manager Vince Pastue said there will be an impact, but the business will not place a demand on services that homeowners typically use. 

Once Balfour signs the agreement, the company has 90 days to present its plans. If for some reason they don't move forward, city attorney Tom Schultz said, the property retains its original zoning. Officials authorized Schultz and city manager Vince Pastue to make any "modest" changes to the agreement that came through the negotiation process.