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.