Revival eyed for former nursing school
Ben Katsevich, TownView Health & Rehabilitation Center administrator, shows off recent renovations on the fourth floor. Katsevich and his wife, Iryna, plan to construct luxury apartments next door, using similar upscale design.
The vacant former Canonsburg Hospital School of Nursing on Barr Street has many architectural details that Ben and Iryna Katsevich plan to restore.
CANONSBURG – The structure at 300 Barr Street sits atop a grassy hill, its broad front covered in boarded windows, four white columns a contrast to the red brick facade. Its gutters sprout greenery, and overgrown shrubs mar the front entrance.
The once-tidy residence and school has sat vacant for decades. But by this time next year, construction should be well under way to restore it to its former glory.
“Canonsburg residents come and say, ‘I remember this building.’ We’ll do the best we can to preserve it,” said owner Ben Katsevich, administrator of next-door TownView Health & Rehabilitation Center.
Katsevich and his wife, Iryna, have taken steps to begin restoration of the old Canonsburg Hospital School of Nursing and Nurses Residence, built in 1930. They received approval from the borough’s zoning hearing board for a variance in the commercial zoning district and are having plans drawn up for 12 to 15 luxury apartments.
“We don’t want to disturb the original look of the Georgian style,” said Iryna. “We’re going to preserve the character and bring it back to life neatly and nicely.”
Having purchased both TownView and the adjacent nursing school in 2007, Katsevich said borough officials contacted him a few times about tearing down the abandoned building. He was in agreement, but after hearing from so many residents who remembered the stately building with fondness, he changed his mind.
“We realized what we can do to turn it into something of value,” he said.
An engineer inspected all 9,100 square feet and found that, despite outward appearances, the structure is solid.
The Katseviches are confident in their ability to create a homey and appealing living space; they have remodeled TownView and recently completed a makeover of the fourth floor, which they say has gotten many positive reviews by residents, staff and guests. The plan is to equip the new apartments with the same upscale touches.
“This is going to be a great asset to us once complete,” said borough manager Bob Kipp.
Though the apartments are not intended exclusively for seniors, Katsevich said the convenience of having TownView right next door, with access to meals, physicians and transportation, should be a big draw.
“It is close to nursing facilities in a nice, quiet neighborhood,” he said. “There are all kinds of options available since everything is in place.”
Next month, the couple will present their plans to the borough’s planning commission. They hope to start construction in the spring and be finished by next fall.
Mayor Dave Rhome praised Katsevich for his use of local contractors in his renovation.
“Anything we can do to stay local and be a part of the community, we do,” said Iryna.