Assisted living center breaks ground near junior high
HEIDI DESCH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 16 years, 9 months AGO
Bee Hives Homes broke ground last week on an assisted living center in Columbia Falls and it should open next spring. (Heidi Desch photo)
DEPUTY EDITOR, FEATURES Heidi Desch is the Deputy Editor at the Daily Inter Lake, overseeing coverage of arts, culture, lifestyle, community, and business. Desch leads reporters in developing stories that highlight the people, traditions, and events shaping Northwest Montana, guiding content across print and digital platforms. With more than 20 years of journalism experience, including serving as managing editor of the Whitefish Pilot, Desch is a graduate of the University of Montana School of Journalism. She has received multiple Montana Newspaper Association awards, including part of the team leading the Daily Inter Lake to Best Daily Newspaper in Montana Award and the General Excellence Award in 2024 and 2025. IMPACT: Heidi’s work connects readers with stories that deepen the understanding of the community beyond daily news. | September 17, 2009 11:00 PM
Work started last Thursday on an assisted living facility near Columbia Falls Junior High.
The 46-bed assisted living center is on 2.2 acres at the corner of Veterans Drive and 13th Street West.
Josh Burlage of Bee Hive Homes of Columbia Falls said the project is on target to open in the spring. He said he's excited to begin work after over a year of planning on the project.
In July the city approved plans for the project, which needed a conditional use permit to be constructed.
The center will be a Bee Hive Homes franchise. The company has about 120 assisted living centers in operation in the country.
Four buildings are planned for the site with various functions.
Burlage said the buildings will be constructed in phases.
Two buildings are to house assisted living facilities with apartment-style units. Those are expected to be just over 5,000 square feet in size. A smaller office and storage building will also be constructed.
Further plans include a 20-bed "Memory Care Unit" for residents with Alzheimer's and dementia.
For more information on the project contact Josh and Jessi Burlage at (563) 543-8038 or visit www.beehivehomes.com.
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