By Katie Farrell Lovett
NEWBURYPORT — Port Healthcare Center is considering purchasing a large tract of undeveloped land off Toppans Lane in order to build a new, bigger, modern facility.
Administrator Jeff Gangi confirmed yesterday that the nursing center is looking at the option of purchasing the entire property, but no agreement has been signed, and discussions are ongoing.
If the deal goes through, it could have a wider impact for Newburyport: Mayor Donna Holaday said she would like to see the Senior Center potentially move into Port Healthcare's Low Street building.
Port Healthcare Center has been in Newburyport since 1982. Owned by the Whittier Health Network, the 100-bed facility offers nursing home care and rehabilitative services.
Their building on Low Street was built in 1968, and the company wants to build a new facility, Gangi said. Whittier is looking into all options to accomplish that, he said.
They would like to stay in the city, he added.
"Our goal is to stay in Newburyport; we're invested in staying in Newburyport," Gangi said.
The 11 acres of land off Toppans Lane used to belong to the Rindler family. It extends back near the Newburyport Medical Center and abuts the Anna Jaques Hospital parking lot. It's one of the largest undeveloped pieces of land in Newburyport's urban neighborhoods.
Last January, developer Great Woods Post and Beam Co. filed a plan to build 20 single-family homes on the land. That proposal was ultimately rejected by the city's Planning Board.
A new facility would be more energy-efficient, and larger and would bring more jobs into the city, Gangi said.
"It's a win-win," he said.
Mayor Holaday said this week she has had discussions with Whittier, and that the city wants to see Port Healthcare stay in Newburyport. If Port Healthcare were to relocate to the Rindler property, Holaday said, the city could look at their Low Street building as a potential site for a new Senior Center and senior housing.
Holaday said she doesn't support the idea to build a Senior Center at Cushing Park or on the Towle property. She reiterated this week that she only voted to designate Cushing Park as a site for a center in order to allow the Friends of the Council on Aging to begin fundraising.
Holaday said she can't support building a freestanding building in a residential neighborhood that doesn't offer additional components.
The city needs to expand its senior housing options, Holaday said.
