Milford Redevelopment Commission is searching for buyers for the soon-to-be-vacated Lakeland Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center. The center’s owner Trilogy Health Services is building a new facility in Warsaw and expects to move out of Milford by January 2019. (Photo by David Hazledine)

MILFORD —  Milford Redevelopment Commission held a brief discussion at its Monday, Aug. 13, meeting with Peter Massey of Trilogy Health Services about the company’s plans to vacate the Lakeland Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Milford by the end of 2018.

According to Massey, via speakerphone, the company’s business model is geared toward a “continuum of care,” which combines skilled nursing with assisted living. The Lakeland building is not equipped with showers, baths and other amenities necessary for this model and would have to be torn down and rebuilt at great expense.

A new facility is under construction near SR 15 and US 30, which Massey believes will be ready for occupancy by January 2019.

Meanwhile, Milford Redevelopment, along with Kosciusko County Economic Development Corporation and other entities is looking for developers interested in moving into the vacated building, which will be listed sometime in early 2019.

According to Joellen Free, Milford clerk treasurer, there appears to be a demand for senior housing in the area and the Lakeland building may be developed for that purpose. Leisure Living, a senior housing complex in Milford, for example, currently has a 76 person waiting list, said Free.

The commission also passed a resolution to write a letter of support for the extension of CR 1300N to SR 15, including a railroad overpass near SR 15. Similar letters are also expected from the Milford and Syracuse town councils and area emergency responders. Local industry will also be approached for support.

Kosciusko County is asking for a show of support for the project and is hoping to obtain a grant from the state-run Local Trax Rail Overpass Program, which provides 80 percent of construction costs associated with promoting railway safety, matching the county’s 20 percent contribution.

An overpass on the extended 1300 North would have safety benefits and allow faster response times for emergency vehicles. It would also benefit the commission’s TIF district, providing increased efficiency of transportation for prospective industrial clients.

The commission, along with Milford Town Council, also voted to draft a letter to the county board of zoning appeals in support of the construction of an alley behind the future Lake City Bank location on Emeline Street and SR 15 in Milford.

The alley would help ease traffic flow on SR 15.