Ageia Health Services LLC, a Bend., Ore.-based retirement-center operator, plans to triple the size of its Moran Vista Assisted Living & Retirement Community, located on Spokanes South Hill.


Kevin Cox, Ageias president and CEO, says the company plans to build a three-story, 75,000-square-foot addition on the north side of the facility, located at 3319 E. 57th. The addition will have a total of 82 living units, including 62 independent-living units and 20 for assisted living.


Currently, the 10-year-old facility has 22,000 square feet of space with 49 assisted-living units, including 14 dementia units. The addition will cost between $6.2 million and $7 million to construct, Cox says.


Its the right time for us, he says. The demographics are good, and the feasibility study showed a need, especially for independent living.


Construction is expected to start in August or September, and Moran Vista hopes to begin accepting new residents in the expanded facility next July, Cox says. The complex employs about 35 people, and it likely will add another 20 to 25 employees once the addition is completed.


The living units in the expansion all will be one- and two-bedroom apartments and will be larger than whats currently available at Moran Vista, which now primarily has studio units Cox says.


In addition to new living quarters, the expansion will include a lot of common space and amenities, she says. A second kitchen will be attached to the kitchen in the current facility, and a new dining room will connect to the new kitchen. Also, the new space will include an Internet caf, a beauty salon, an exercise room, a library, a chapel, a theater room, and couple of activity areas.


Ageia hasnt selected a contractor to build the complex yet. A Portland-based architectural firm is designing it.


Ageia bought Moran Vista in 2002 from Dr. Robert and Helen Shanewise, the Spokane couple that opened the complex in 1996. Ageia also owns and operates a retirement complex in Eugene, Ore.


Contact Linn Parish at (509) 344-1266 or via e-mail at linnp@spokanejournal.com.