Buchanan City Commissioners are celebrating the upcoming opening of a new nursing academy at a former school building on Claremont Street.
Back in September, commissioners approved the transfer of an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Certificate for 502 Claremont to its new owner, Dr. Ayana Redding. She was working to turn the former HC Stark Elementary building into another location for ALR Educational Health Services, which also operates a facility in Niles.
Redding addressed commissioners this week for an update.
“92 days later, she’s done,” Redding said to applause.
Redding said the building’s ready and a grand opening is set for January 2. Classes will start there on January 5.
“Nursing, pharmacy technician, medical terminology, QMA. We added more allied health courses, CNA, phlebotomy.”
Commissioner Dan Vigansky told Redding this is going to be great for the community. He asked if the Stark name has been preserved for the building.
“I renamed her. She’s Star now, for like a guiding light. But I did still keep some of the aesthetics of Star, but she’s ALR now.”
Redding has secured a tax abatement running through 2035 to help recoup the cost of some of the building improvements she’s done. She’s planning to use one level of the building for an RN program, and the other level for allied health courses.
Mayor Mark Weedon told Redding that the town is blessed to have the project.
