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Cedar Sinai Park broke ground last week on the Harold Schnitzer Health and Rehabilitation Care Center, a $33 million construction project in Portland.

Designed by LRS Architects with R&H Construction as general contractor, the project will include the renovation of the Robison Jewish Health Center to transform it into a 44-bed post-acute rehabilitation center. In addition, two new buildings will include four homes with 12 beds each, for a total of 48 beds.

The work on the Southwest Boundary Street campus will be done in phases, with new construction coming first, said Kraig O’Connor, project manager for R&H.

鈥淲e are adding two new buildings, a three-story and a single-story, and that will be the first phase,鈥� he said.

Cedar Sinai Parkprovides residential and community-based care to elders and adults with special needs. Current services included independent and assisted living at the Rose Schnitzer Manor, nursing home care at Robison Jewish Health Center, daily respite care through Adult Day Services, affordable housing for the elderly and people with disabilities at four facilities, in-home care and affordable housing for developmentally disabled adults.

But the goal of the new buildings is to get away from an institutional feel, O’Connor said.

鈥淲e are trying to make it homey with higher-end finishes, fantastic lighting and upgraded floor and window coverings,鈥� he said.

That 鈥渉omey鈥� feel is the result of Cedar Sinai following the guidelines of , a long-term care model that’s gaining national attention. Green House homes go beyond simply providing medical care to the elderly, but offer 鈥渁n environment and support system that enables each person to regain their individuality and to live in a real home,鈥� according to the Green House Project website.

That means large bedrooms, communal kitchens and common areas that all residents to live more socially and yet individually than in a typical home for the elderly, said David Fuks, executive director of Cedar Sinai Park.

鈥淲e want to be responsive to people in the way they want to receive care and we are very committed to person-centered care,鈥� he said. 鈥淭he Green House model will allow us to change the culture not only throughout our organization, but (it) can be exemplary to others in the state as they seek to have 21st-century model care.鈥�

Fuks said Cedar Sinai Park has been saving for the project for years, but got a big boost with a $5 million gift from Arlene and the late Harold Schnitzer through the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation. Other corporate interests contributed another $3 million. Fuks also is working with Cain Brothers, an investment bankingfirm that focuses exclusively on the medical services industry, to possibly obtain for both bridge and long-term financing.

鈥淥ur fundraising goal for the total project is $19.35 million and we’ve already raised over $18 million for the entire project,鈥� Fuks said.

Fuks added that he is working with a large foundation on the East Coast that may make up the difference.

After the new buildings are complete, the 53,000-square-foot Robison building will be taken down to its studs, said O’Connor.

鈥淥nce those are complete, we will move personnel and residents so we can renovate the existing building.鈥�

Construction of the entire project will take about two years, O’Connor said, with work to begin in about a month.

Michael Roberts is leading the team for LRS Architects. O’Connor said R&H is carrying contracts for design and construction of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems. American Heating will handle HVAC work, plumbing will be by Tapani Plumbing Inc., electrical work will be by EC Company and Crown Fire Systems will handle fire suppression systems.

Landscaping and other contracts have not been awarded yet, O’Connor said.