SALISBURY — Despite a for sale sign out front and demolition crews tearing down a vacant building, Brightmoor Nursing Center on West Innes Street is not closing.
The nursing home is demolishing the former assisted living center, which had fallen into disrepair, officials said.
If the property sells, owner Linda Howard plans to relocate Brightmoor to better serve Rowan County, said Charlotte real estate broker Charles Barry McCrory, who has the property listed.
“Brightmoor will still serve the community,” McCrory said. “We are just hoping to do it in a better way.”
Brightmoor continues to operate in the existing facility, which houses 40 residents and has the ability to serve 20 more, said Wanda Lowman, vice president of operations.
“We would like to grow,” Lowman said.
Lowman said the business plans to stay in the current location.
If no one buys the facility, which actually fronts West Fisher Street, Brightmoor will stay and improve the property, McCrory said.
But Howard would like to sell the site and build a new nursing home in a more appropriate location, he said. The West Innes Street location is better for retail or restaurant use, he said.
McCrory said he’s trying to drum up support among local philanthropists to buy the property and donate it to Livingstone College, which could develop the land and lease it to businesses. The property backs up to the college campus.
The idea is in its infancy, McCrory said. Livingstone officials could not be reached for comment.
Lowman said the nursing home is for sale in an attempt to lower its tax value. She said the property’s tax value is double its appraised value.
The tax value is $2.5 million. The 2.79-acre property is for sale for $1.5 million.
No one has shown interest in buying the property since it was listed this fall, McCrory said. That could help Howard’s property tax appeal, he said.
“If we can’t find a buyer, we can show this effort as partial evidence of the property tax value being overpriced,” McCrory said.
He said property owners who suspect their property is also valued too high are interested in the outcome of Brightmoor’s situation.
“If this is true with this property, it could be true for other properties,” McCrory said.
He said Brightmoor employees will still have a job.
“Their job is not being put at risk,” McCrory said.
Lowman said Brightmoor’s plans include creating a new front entrance for the building on the Innes Street side, with an awning, fencing and landscaping. The parking lot also will be improved once the demolition work is cleared, she said.
“We are not closing,” Lowman said. “We are a part of this community and have been since 1990 and want to continue to be.”

Contact reporter Emily Ford at 704-797-4264.