Guardian Care Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Orlando announced plans to undertake major renovations to its 120-bed facility at a cost of $2.5 million – $3.0 million over the next three years.
At a ceremony to formally introduce the suite of projects on Wednesday, Dr. Alzo Reddick, Chairman-Guardian Care Board of Directors, told a room full of mostly contractors that, their talents, skills and cooperation were critical in helping to maintain the five-star designation recently granted the facility.
“Guardian Care has been an institutional gem within this community for a number of years,” said Reddick. “We are justifiably proud that we are now a five-star facility and are counting on you to ensure that a five-star facility is a five-star facility for how we treat our residents.”
Located at the south-western corner of John Young Parkway and Church Street, Guardian Care construction projects in the first year include: roof repair and replacement, elevator modernization, flooring replacement, exterior painting, underground fuel tank removal, energy conservation and replacement of bath fixtures, among other projects.
City of Orlando Commissioner Daisy Lynum (District 5) said, she is excited about the upcoming renovations, largely on account of the jobs that would be generated for minority and women-owned small business contractors and workers.
“This is a great facility occupied mostly by African-American residents,” said Lynum. “I am all about equality, fairness and justice and we are dealing with jobs. My role here is to make sure you are here and involved.”
Lynum, who is also a Guardian Care board director added, while many of the jobs “might not be the highest paying job you’re going to get,” it’s important that minority workers who give so much to their communities are hired, so they could in turn take care of their families and help sustain the communities.
Bill Worrell, representing Guardian Care, provided an overview of the project and discussed compliance, time-lines and outreach efforts. Design work will take place in July with actual renovation work commencing in August. He also said about $800,000 would be disbursed annually on the various projects over the next three years.
Built in the 1960s, Worrell said in upgrading the facility, Guardian Care would be “looking to create architectural appeal for the coming generations … something very, very nice that complements the already exceptional care that Guardian Care provides its residents.”
Worrell, who has some 40 years experience in the construction industry, including 25 years in the senior living environment, also explained the various design professional and contractor requirements, including insurance, general business and qualification specifications that would be needed.
In order to better reach out to contractors and the rest of the community, Guardian Care has established a website, guardiancareconstruction.com, which is managed by Erica Crawford, the Center’s Contractor Outreach Consultant. Crawford, who provided an overview of the site, encouraged contractors to visit it often for new information and updates.
Contractors who might be in need of working capital could look to the Black Business Investment Fund for assistance. President of BBIF, Inez Long said, there’s a contract financing product in place that could be tapped, if needed. Technical assistance would also be available for small businesses, she added.
The nearly 70 contractors who attended the formal kick-off ceremony at Guardian Care Nursing & Rehabilitation Center located at 2500 West Church Street, were provided with an opportunity to pose questions. These related to payment schedules and cycles, pre-qualification timelines and site safety issues, among others.
Perhaps Lynum summed up the evening best when she recalled the facility’s more than 50-year existence when it operated initially as an acute hospital from 1958 until 1964, delivering medical services to the black community. Later, it was transformed into a skilled nursing facility to meet the long-term needs of the community.
“Tonight is one of the visions we have for involving minority and women-owned businesses. We are ready to take care of this facility. We’ve got the money and we are ready to go forward,” she said.
Vereen Reynolds-Williams, Guardian Care’s Administrator, who moderated the evening, provided a guided tour of the Center at the conclusion of the informational session.
