Historic St. Ann’s Building to Become Senior Care Center

The St. Ann’s building, a longstanding fixture in downtown Juneau near the Starr Hill neighborhood, is poised for a new chapter. After years of standing largely empty despite its central location, the historic structure is set to be transformed into an integrated senior care center thanks to significant new funding.

Juneau Economic Development Council Secures Major Grant

In September, the Juneau Economic Development Council (JEDC) was named as a recipient of a $3.6 million grant through the Rural Health Transformation Program. This grant is part of a wider $272 million federal allocation dedicated to improving healthcare infrastructure throughout Alaska. The funds awarded to JEDC will support both initial planning and early redevelopment efforts for the St. Ann’s building.

Redevelopment Plans for Senior Living and Care

According to Brian Holst, executive director of JEDC, the project aims to turn the mostly vacant building into an integrated care center for seniors in Juneau. Preliminary plans include creating 35 independent and transitional senior living units, communal spaces, a community geriatric clinic, and office space for partnering service providers. These partners will include JAMHI Health & Wellness, REACH Inc., Polaris House, and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

Historic Importance of St. Ann’s Building

The building, located on 6th Street and also known as the Crimont Business Center, is owned by the Corporation of the Catholic Archbishop. Its historical significance is considerable: St. Ann’s Hospital, founded in 1886 by the Sisters of St. Ann, was Juneau’s first hospital. The facility operated downtown for decades until the city took over operations in 1965 and built Bartlett Regional Hospital in Lemon Creek. Since then, St. Ann’s has served various roles, including as a nursing home and a home for different nonprofits and businesses.

Addressing Elder Care Gaps in Juneau

Juneau, like much of Southeast Alaska, faces a rapidly aging population and a shortage of adequate resources for elder care. A 2024 report by the JEDC revealed that the over-60 population in Juneau now outnumbers those under 20. Holst emphasized that the redevelopment project marks an “important step toward preserving a community landmark” while exploring solutions to meet the elder care needs of Southeast Alaska’s aging population.

Early Stages and Future Outlook

The initiative is in its initial stages, with planning and development work still to be done. However, the secured funding and partnership plans offer hope for new elder care infrastructure in the region. If successful, the project could serve as a model for other historic building redevelopments aimed at supporting Alaska's aging residents.

Source: ktoo.org.