A planned $7 million expansion of Moran Vista Living & Retirement Community that originally was expected to begin in August or September now is expected to start Nov. 1, says Kevin Cox, president and CEO of Bend, Ore.-based Ageia Health Services LLC, which owns the South Hill complex.


The work will be done by Koelsch Construction LLC, of Vancouver, Wash., and take about 10 months to complete, says Cox.


The start of work on an 82-living unit addition at 3319 E. 57th has been pushed back about two months beyond the original projected starting date as Spokane County, the city of Spokane, and the applicant work through the permitting process.


Ron Hand, a development coordinator for the county, says, From the countys standpoint, we dont see a delay. Generally, things are moving really well. There havent been any glitches that have come to my attention.


Ageia plans to build a three-story, 75,000-square-foot expansion to the north side of the structure, Cox says. That expansion would include 62 independent-living units and 20 assisted-living units. The expansion is designed to include one- and-two bedroom units, plus some studio apartments, he says.


Moran Vista currently has 49 assisted-living units, 14 of which are used as dementia units, in a 22,000-square-foot building says.


Currently, about 35 people are employed at Moran Vista, but another 20 to 25 employees likely will be added to work there when the expansion is completed, says Cox.


The expansion was designed by LRS Architects Inc., of Portland, Ore.


Aegia also owns a 60-bed retirement complex in Eugene, Ore., and, in August, purchased a 40-bed retirement complex in Clatskanie, Ore., Cox says.