Submitted photo Youngstown Mayor Jamael Tito Brown speaks against a backdrop of heavy construction equipment as Heritage Manor, an agency of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, launched its expansion project.

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Area Jewish Federation and guests on Friday broke ground on the $3.7 million, three-phase expansion of Heritage Manor rehabilitation and retirement community.

An agency of the Youngstown Area Jewish Federation, it was established at 517 Gypsy Lane in 1965 as a not-for-profit, 72-bed facility. It is situated on an 18-acre campus.

The provider of health, housing, social, and spiritual services, guided by Jewish values and traditions, is open to everyone. It is one of only four Jewish nursing homes in Ohio. A third of its residents are veterans.

Total cost of three-phase project is $3.7 million.

“Expanding the work here … this is amazing. Amazing — especially on the heels of the pandemic,” said Samantha Turner, Youngstown 3rd Ward councilwoman.

The first phase is creating 12 private rooms with their own bathrooms.

Future phases include updates to existing shared rooms and bathrooms, so every room will be private; and an increased focus on rehabilitation.

There also will be a dedicated nurses’ station and a family dining room.

“I can walk here from my home,” said Youngstown Mayor Jamael Tito Brown, noting he recently had a 94-year-old aunt at the facility. He lauded its reputation and expansion. “We were so pleased with the care she received here.”

Groundbreaking speakers were Suzyn Schwebel Epstein, Youngstown Area Jewish Federation president; Eric Murray, Youngstown Area Jewish Federation executive director of senior care and services; Atty. James Pazol, Heritage Manor capital campaign co-chair; and Andrew Lipkin, Youngstown Area Jewish Federation CEO.

Though Heritage Manor has had no resident cases of COVID-19, the pandemic illustrated that private living spaces are necessary for infection control. They also offer privacy for communicating with medical staff as well as visiting family and friends, officials said.

Heritage Manor officials note the facility has higher than average nurse staffing ratios.