Topping off ceremony held for new Tockwotton Home

By Richard Asinof
Contributing Writer
Twitter: @RichardAsinof

EAST PROVIDENCE – The last steel beam was hoisted into place on Jan. 18 at the new, $52.3 million, five-story structure Tockwotton Home. The ceremony featured Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee, Lt. Gov. Elizabeth H. Roberts, East Providence Mayor Bruce Rogers, and current Tockwotton resident, Evelyn Katzman, who is 104 years old.

The new structure, which is being built on six waterfront acres along East Providence’s Waterfront District south of Route 195, is scheduled to open the second week in December.

The new Tockwotton Home will replace the existing facility, constructed in 1864, and it will offer residents a new model of health care for seniors, one based on communities of living, according to spokeswoman Mary K. Talbot. In addition, the new facility will help to foster a different, team approach to care.

Currently, there is a 60 percent reservation rate for the 156 rooms in the new Tockwotton Home.

Financing for the project includes $42 million through non-rated tax exempt bonds, $10.5 million from owner equity, and a $5 million capital campaign, of which $2.3 million has been raised to date.