Pinkard Construction and Loveland Housing Authority are still on schedule despite the COVID-19 pandemic that arose shortly after the March groundbreaking on the new Green House Homes at Mirasol expansion, Colorado’s first Green House® community, created as the vision of the Loveland Housing Authority to offer skilled nursing care. The first new residents are still expected to move in by fall 2020, and all three new buildings will be complete by the end of the year.
Pinkard avoided delays through an industry-leading response to the pandemic, including: jobsite entry check-in (with body temperature monitoring); strict jobsite enforcement of wearing masks, distancing, and handwashing; sneeze guards in common areas; special logistics planning; and contract tracing of any employees who test positive.
“Pinkard has worked diligently to position ourselves as Colorado leaders in COVID-19 construction safety protocols – for both on-site and office behaviors,” said Tony Burke, president of Pinkard Construction. “Beginning with the formation of Pinkard’s Pandemic Response Team, Pinkard has remained on the cutting edge in the establishment of effective protocols for minimizing COVID-19 exposure during construction and preventing its spread.”
The expansion will add three new Green House Homes for a total of nine residences that will house up to 90 elders. The architect of record is Lantz-Boggio Architects, who will work with Pinkard to complete construction.
“This innovative-design project has received numerous accolades and a wide range of support throughout Northern Colorado, and continues to set the pace for long-term care in Colorado,” said Jeff Feneis, executive director of the Loveland Housing Authority. “Some of our local elders may have been faced with moving away from family and friends, but the Green Houses will afford them the opportunity to remain in their home community.”
The Green House Project is a dramatic approach to skilled nursing facilities that are responsive to changing desires for long-term care. In just over a decade, the Green House model has become a nationwide movement that is revolutionizing skilled nursing by transforming eldercare by offering real home settings with a close-knit community among residents and staff.
“We are very excited to continue our relationship with Mirasol and the Loveland Housing Authority,” said Tony Buke, president of Pinkard Construction. “We are always amazed at the power these new approaches to creating retirement communities have in redefining aging and improving the lives of seniors.”
Pinkard was also the CM/GC for the first Green House Homes at Mirasol in Loveland in 2014. Since opening, the Green House Homes at Mirasol earned an Eagle Award from Housing Colorado for program innovation, and a 5-star rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
