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Warren General Hospital and Rouse Estates recently broke ground for Phase II of the Pine Grove Center, which includes assisted and independent living facilities for senior citizens.

Already operational at the Pine Grove Township site are the ambulatory surgical center and medical offices. The senior assisted living center and 20 independent living units are viewed as "future growth opportunities," according to John Papalia, FACHE, chief executive officer at WGH. He added that the senior living campus will be operated in conjunction with the Rouse Estates.

Phase II infrastructure development includes roads, preparation of the land for building as well as new water and sewer lines.

Warren General Hospital and the Rouse Estate unveiled plans for the Pine Grove Center three years ago.

Papalia said, " We were pleased when the administration at the Rouse Estate showed a like interest. These efforts will not only enhance and improve health care opportunities for residents in our region, but they have the potential to enhance economic development, growth and job opportunities for our region. The plans are are on schedule and we should be completed with Phase II in spring of 2009."

Papalia said in January 2006, when the original plans were announced, that the facility had the potential to create 60 to 100 high-level jobs.

He also said, "The assisted and independent living facilities are expected to attract interest among Pennsylvanians as well as New York residents because the tax situation for senior citizens is more beneficial in Pennsylvania."

"This will allow us to retain and grow population in Warren County and increase the tax base," he said.

Since the original plans were unveiled in 2006, Karen Coombs, director of community relations and development at WGH, said, "As far as I know no real fundamental changes have occurred from the original concept. The plan has stayed the same as announced. There are still ongoing analysis with the market and economy, but it still stands as written."

The 60 assisted living units in a single building are expected to cost $4 million to $6 million to build and the construction cost of the 20 independent living units are estimated at $2 million.

The plan to develop the 100 acres in Pine Grove Township is part of the strategic plan approved by Warren General Hospital's board of directors in October 2004.