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Members of Heartland Independent Living Center’s board of
directors, staff, State Representative Tom Hurst, Mayor John Kamler, President
of 1st State Community Bank Doug Dunlap, Joe McGowan and Nathan
Parmenter from Cochran Architectural, Kelly Sink-Blair from MRPC were in
attendance at Heartland’s groundbreaking.
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After five years in the
making, Heartland Independent Living Center is finally able to move forward on
the planned building renovations. Slated to begin work on November 9th,
C. Rallo Contracting from St. Louis has been hired as the general contractor to
complete a reduced three phase renovation project.
Heartland began this journey
in late 2010. In the fall of 2013, they were awarded a Community Development
Block Grant for facility improvements from the Missouri Department of Economic
Development. In the summer of 2014 Heartland originally bid a comprehensive
three phase renovation project designed by Cochran Architecture out of Union. The
bids received were drastically higher than the preliminary cost estimates. This
resulted in the development of a reduced scope for the renovation work and the
new plans were re-bid this summer.
Initial work will begin the
week of November 9th. People driving by the building on West Highway 28 will be
able to see a big part of the first phase of the project which will remove the
existing front canopy and sidewalk from the building and the installation of an
entire new front with a brick veneer; as well as, the installation of windows. Due
to this, the public entrance to the building will be closed and visitors will
be directed to a temporary entrance on the east side of the building.
The second phase of the
project will include replacing most of the roof, mold removal and interior work
to enlarge and improve employee work space to accommodate the staff growth that
has taken place over the past six years.
The third and final phase of
the project will include a heating and cooling system upgrade, correct existing
plumbing and electrical problems and upgrade the bathroom facilities.
Heartland will continue to
operate out of the building during the renovation work. Some staff will be
temporarily relocated to work out of the organization’s Christopher Manhart
office located in Union. The hope is keep the office running as efficiently as
possible, to maintain our ability to help our consumers during the renovations.
The entire project is to be
completed by June 30, 2016.
Heartland Independent Living Center is a
nonprofit, community based organization that serves individuals with
disabilities in their quest to remain independent in their own homes. Services include in-home assistance, home
modifications and ramps, adaptive equipment, transition assistance from
institution to home, and dental services.
Heartland meets accountability standards and holds the Better Business
Bureau Charity Seal of Approval. For additional information on their services
contact Heartland at 573-437-5100, or visit their website at www.heartlandilc.org. Follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/heartlandilcenter.