The new building near the intersection of Dewey Drive and Stratton Avenue.

CITRUS HEIGHTS, CA (MPG) - Construction of a planned 24-hour skilled nursing facility near the intersection of Dewey Drive and Stratton Avenue in Citrus Heights continues to move forward with a projected opening date, pending final inspection approvals this spring. The project broke ground in 2019.

Exterior construction and landscaping is now largely completed. The project was built by Western Care Construction Company, Inc. of Rocklin.

The 40,000-plus-square-foot facility, called Shadowbrook Gardens, sits on 3.72 acres at 5915 Dewey Dr. in Fair Oaks, according to project documents, located just outside the boundary of the City of Citrus Heights in an unincorporated part of Sacramento County.

Project architect Jon Delling referred questions to the property owner/developer Shyrel Gaskey.

The project is bordered by Woodpark Way on one side and nearby Celtic Cross Presbyterian Church on the other. Entrances to the facility are from either Dewey Drive or Shadowbrook Way.

“It has been a very long process with our architect, design team and sub-contractors,” Gaskey said.

 Another view of the new building.

“We are in the middle of having all the physical systems tested and approved by the California state governing authority and by Sacramento Metropolitan Fire,” she said.

Project approval will come from the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) formerly the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD).

“We hope to have the building finalized and ready for occupancy in March of 2024,” she said. “However, having said that, it is possible it could take a few months longer for all the powers that be who need to, to fully sign off (on this project).”

Gaskey said an agreement for the operator to run the new facility is continuing and yet to be finalized.

In earlier news interviews Gaskey said she expects the primary use for the building to be acute rehabilitation for patients being discharged from area hospitals. The new facility could also serve to help patients recover following traumatic injuries such as a stroke, surgery, or accident until they can return home.

Project documents from Sacramento County show the facility will have space for dining, kitchen, and physical therapy. A new main entrance from Dewey Drive will lead to a patient drop-off area at the end of Shadowbrook Way.

She said the final number of new jobs created will depend on which facility operator is eventually selected to run the facility, but noted that similar facilities require at least 40 employees in order to fill round-the-clock shifts.

“There will be 72 licensed beds and a ton of new job opportunities,” she said. “As we get closer to a celebration for completion, I will keep you informed.”