Merrimack County officials seek $50M renovation to add assisted‑living and memory care beds at McLeod/Garish Manor campus

County officials presented plans to renovate roughly 64,000 square feet of the McLeod building on the Merrimack County campus to add assisted‑living and memory care capacity, increase energy efficiency and create a single, secure entry to the facility.

Ross Johnson, a county official, told commissioners the project would convert underused Fourth and Fifth floors and other space to create about 80 additional assisted‑living beds and a dedicated memory care unit. "We're anticipating a total of 80 new residents, new beds for assisted living," Johnson said during the presentation.

The county said the renovated spaces would provide private rooms with bathrooms and showers, expanded dining and wellness space, and improved staff areas. Anthony (last name not specified), a presenter on the project team, described a planned porte‑cochere and new reception area to create a single controlled point of entry and improve security and wayfinding.

Staff said the work would be phased to limit disruption to current residents. Heather (last name not specified), a county staff member involved in admissions, said the county will involve current residents in relocation planning and expects construction and moves to be staged so residents are not repeatedly displaced. "We will be involving them in the project so that they have a say," Heather said.

Officials described a multi‑year timeline and a funding plan that begins with a delegation vote on March 7 to authorize bonding. The county estimated a roughly $50 million total project cost and a preliminary annual debt service in the neighborhood of $3,000,000 (figure described as approximate by staff) depending on term and market rates. Staff said actual bonding likely would not be executed until 2026 after design and bidding; commissioners would finalize debt decisions later.

Presenters cited two studies used to support the project: a feasibility study by SMP and an analysis by consultant Steve Norton that projected a local assisted‑living bed shortfall. Norton’s study was summarized in the meeting as projecting a need for about 503 additional assisted‑living beds in Merrimack County within 10 years.

Staff and commissioners said the county currently operates Garish Manor (the county’s assisted‑living unit) with 33 beds and that the waiting list is substantial. Heather said, "At Garish Manor right now, we have about 45 people on the wait list." Officials noted the county can operate a higher share of Medicaid‑funded assisted‑living beds than private providers, which helps residents who rely on Medicaid rates.

Speakers framed the proposal as consistent with the county’s mission to serve older residents and described workforce benefits: the assisted‑living level is easier to staff and can serve as a pipeline for nursing and long‑term care careers. Officials said they used ARPA funds for a prior feasibility study and roof replacement and that the proposed renovation would also address aging plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems.

Commissioners and staff discussed contingency plans if the delegation does not approve bonding in March; staff said the county could pause and return to the proposal in a future year but warned that delays could increase costs and risk losing momentum with contractors and design teams. No formal vote on the renovation bond was taken at this meeting.

The county invited delegation members and community stakeholders to tours and said additional materials (the SMP feasibility report and Norton analysis) are available on request.