For months, if not longer, Bristol Borough Council has wondered aloud and privately about when the old Mill Run site on Wilson Avenue will open.

Last Monday night some answers were provided by the spokesman for the developers Michael Hollister. 

To rewind, before going forward, he said in 2018, that Philadelphia-based 1201 Wilson Acquisitions plan to open the facility’s first three floors in September 2018. 

Hollister said sometime in December the projects website would go live with two portals. One for job seekers and the second for residency applications.

“We are in striking distance of opening the two story structure which has 64 beds”

At this point, he said, we have to finish the kitchen and cafeteria which need to be licensed and approved before we can begin accepting patients, he said.

“We’re in the home stretch barring any unforeseen permitting, licensing or supply issues the beginning of January we should be able to open for business,'” Hollister said.

The borough has worked alongside the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority to get the $15 million to $17 million Mill Run project off the ground.

The borough, and county agreed in 2015 to designate the parcel a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) property.

The Redevelopment Authority owns the property and has agreed to transfer ownership to Wilson Acquisition when 1201 Wilson opens, officials said .

Virginia-based Sunrise Senior Living managed a nursing home at the site until 2008, when officials cited financial difficulties for closing the location’s doors.  

The 3.6-acre property became an eyesore of sorts for locals as a developer was sought to redevelop the property,. 

 In the LERTA  program, the developer will pay taxes on 10 percent of a property’s assessed value — in this case about $4.7 million, according to public data as of 2019 — the first year, and 10 percent more each year for the next nine years.

“I understand it takes long to get something done, and this is extremely long,” Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe said, he himself a private contractor.

East ward councilwoman Lorraine Cullen, has openly shared her frustration about the length of the project and lack of communication with Borough officials said, I hate to say January of 23 because people are going to be complaining again if it doesn’t happen.

I know families that want to move their parents there. I know people who want to work there, and you know, she said.

Hollister in attempt to assuage Cullen’s frustration, said the rooms in the two story building are about 80 percent done.

“We’re just hoping to see it, rather than believe it, east ward councilman Gregg Pezza  said, adding he didn’t think Hollister was purposely misleading Council.

In April and June this publication contacted Hollister for an update on the project, he did not respond to the requests.

Hollister did tell Council to blame him for the delays in opening the facility.

They didn’t seem to be convinced.