Barclay officials hope to rebuild a year after deadly fire
WEST CHESTER >> A year after a deadly Nov. 16, 2017 blaze, staff at the Barclay Friends Senior Living facility are poised to rebuild.
Staffers hope to get the go-ahead from borough council at December’s meeting, and begin what is expected to be a year of construction, starting in early
2019.
The home marked the year anniversary with a Quaker remembrance.
“We marked it here quietly in the manner of Friends,” said Linda Sterthous, executive director.
The existing facility not damaged by the fire houses
96 beds. One hundred ninety-seven residents have been admitted to the facility since an April 2 reopening. Occupancy stands at 90 percent.
Sterthous said residents were very happy during the April 2 reopening, with “tears of joy.”
“By and large the residents who returned are doing well,” Sterthous said.
Faith Woodward, admissions and marketing director, said “staff were waiting to welcome them at the front door.”
Four hundred first responders responded to the fast-moving overnight fire that killed four, injured 27 and displaced 133 residents.
More than 60 U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms investigators searched the rubble for clues.
When asked if a cause had been determined, ATF spokesperson Charlotte Hennessey wrote in a Tuesday text, “we expect to put something out by next week.”
The facility hopes to add 60 little apartments, or one bedroom apartments and studios, including 20 beds dedicated to memory care.
The two-story structure, with a basement built below grade, will be constructed from steel and concrete. The new building will add another 12 units at the original site lost to the flames, at what was formerly known as the Woolman Building. Both buildings will be connected.
The former structure, with 48 beds, measured
38,000 square feet and the new building, with 60 beds, will cover 61,000 square feet.
“We had so much support and help from the West Chester Community that there was no way we could thank everyone,” Sterthous said. “In honor, we ask res- idents, family, staff and the public to support Home of the Sparrow.”
Donations of paper products, which may not be purchased with food stamps, will support the non-profit serving homeless women and children.
“We can give back by giving to another non-profit,” Sterthous said.