Bedford County seeks buyer for old nursing home site

BEDFORD — After several years of debating a new use for a former nursing home building, Bedford County is seeking private ownership of the structure for an assisted living facility.

The Board of Supervisors voted Monday to advertise for business proposals from firms or organizations that may be interested in the 19,752-square-foot building on County Farm Road next to the current Bedford County Nursing Home.

The former facility previously served as a 56-bed nursing home dating back to the 1950s, but was most recently renovated in 1990, according to an advertisement. The building would be offered through a long-term lease contingent upon an offerer’s ability to provide high quality care, it states.

Chairman John Sharp said Monday that county staff evaluated the building and found it in compliance with state regulations for an assisted living facility, though it does have some issues such as a leaking roof. It could operate as a 19-room, 28-resident facility without private baths, he said.

Since the new county nursing home opened nearly three years ago next to Falling Creek Park, the county has received some community feedback requesting that the former facility be used for assisted living.

“We have no interest in operating assisted living at this time but we would like to put it out there for private entities,” Supervisor Annie Pollard said. “By advertising this, this would see if there is an interest.”

“This would sort of hopefully put this to rest, one way or the other,” Sharp said.

The county plans to advertise in several Virginia newspapers and in trade journals, said County Administrator Kathleen Guzi. The anticipated costs are between $2,000 and $3,000, she said.

The county plans to offer a guided tour of the facility in early October, according to the advertisement.

In other business:

- The board held its first meeting as the Bedford County Broadband Authority, an entity that can enter into contracts with private providers for broadband access to residents and businesses. The authority elected Sharp as its chairman and Roger Cheek as vice chairman, adopted bylaws and set its regular meeting times for every fourth Monday of the month at 7 p.m.

- By a narrow 4-3 vote, the board voted to accept a grant of nearly $44,000 for the Bedford County Sheriff’s Office. The grant was authorized through federal stimulus funds and will be used for equipment needs and not for new positions, according to a representative from the sheriff’s office present at Monday’s meeting. Supervisor Steve Arrington, Cheek and Sharp voted against accepting the grant.

- After holding a public hearing, the board voted unanimously to approve an ordinance that vacates a subdivision plat in Forest called Jason Anthony Manor. Jamerson Company, the new owner of the majority of the 32-lot subdivision, desired to have the name changed to The Homes of Mountain View Estates. The company did not request any other changes to the plat, County Attorney Carl Boggess said.