Dignitaries, Developers Join to Break Ground on New Albertville Senior Community

No true-blooded, Minnesota German would've appreciated all of the attention last week, but it was a perfect ceremony, nonetheless. 

Dignitaries, developers and representatives from Guardian Angels Senior Community joined forces Wednesday, Oct. 9 for a ceremonial groundbreaking at the site of Engel Haus, which will open in 2014 in Albertville. 

The day featured short speeches from representatives from all major players–Guardian Angels, Kraus-Anderson and Pope Architects–as well as folks from Albertville City Council and the Wright County Commission. 

"We had a mission when we we approached Pope Architects with this idea of a community in Albertville," said Dan Dixon, director at Guardian Angels. "It has to be German. This is a strong Catholic community. And it has to be a community cornerstone. This project really meets all three of those ideas." 

Indeed, Engel Haus, according to its design has several rooms for the community to use, including gathering spaces and a conference room. It's architecture is distinctly Bavarian, right down to a clock tower that will be noticeable from its location on Jason Avenue. 

"But it's the people," said lead architect Ward Isaacson, "who will make this house a home for their future. And we think it fits the community very well." 

Former Albertville Mayor Mike Potter, now a member of the Wright County Commission, said the senior community is part of the "life-cycle" housing Albertville's leaders had when the city began to really grow in the 1990s. 

"We wanted a good community for kids, for families and for our seniors," he said. "This is the final piece. That final stage. It's exciting." 

Kraus-Anderson is the lead builder on the project, and work has already started on the site, which has been set aside for Engel Haus for more than five years. Footings for the structure, which will cover more than 35,000 sq. ft., should be poured prior to this year's freeze. 

When completed, Engel Haus will have about 65 units for assisted living, memory care and apartment homes. It will staff about 30 new employees. 

"Someone who was born and raised here can now spend their senior years in our community," said city administrator Adam Nafstad. "That's an important piece. And it's a source of community pride." 

"I'm excited to be able to watch it grow," said Albertville Mayor Jillian Hendrickson. "I drive by every day on my way to daycare. I'll be checking in often."