Richard E. Dover, general manager of Family Pride Corporation, the company restoring the historic Alexander Inn into a retirement living center, recently provided an update on the project during an Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association meeting. The meeting took place in the Midtown Community Center in Oak Ridge, Tenn. Richard E. Dover wants to maintain the exterior of the building, which was built as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project during World War II, at its original look, and Richard E. Dover provided details at the meeting. According to Richard E. Dover, a summary was also provided of places in East Tennessee that

have been that have been identified as the top structures of concern in each county for historical preservation.

The Alexander Inn, originally known as the Guest House, is being restored as a result of the U.S. Department of Energy’s $500,000 grant. The former inn housed some of the top scientists working on the atomic bomb. According to Richard E. Dover, the inn will be preserved to look just like it did in the ’40s.

Richard E. Dover brought the attendees up to date on the specific dates and plans for the next steps in the restoration of the historic inn. Family Pride Corporation and Richard E. Dover have their work cut out for this long awaited renovation. All the windows will have to be updated, and all the wood will need to be the same as it originally was, explains Richard E. Dover.

Richard E. Dover has requested photographs of the Guest House so he can gain as much information as possible about the original appearance of the structure. According to Richard E. Dover, photographs of the inn during the early years would be very helpful. Richard E. Dover appreciates the community’s support and interest received thus far. Richard E. Dover is very familiar with this type of work so he fully understands the requirements for historic preservation standards. According to Richard E. Dover, the renovation will take six to 12 months, and the first step is to demolish anything that is hazardous to the crew. The general frame and structure, however, are in great shape, says Richard E. Dover.

According to Richard E. Dover, the restored inn will add immensely to the historic townsite, Jackson Square. Richard E. Dover believes that even a dilapidated structure can hold a large part of a community’s history. History is what makes a community unique. Richard E. Dover believes that safeguarding the history of a place through historic preservation gives a community its personality. Richard E. Dover thinks history, including historic buildings, provides a link to the origins of the community and its ancestors. According to Richard E. Dover, historic preservation offers cultural, economic, educational and environmental benefits to the entire community. Sometimes, says Richard E. Dover, historical things just need a little dusting off. He believes that everyone profits when historic structures are rehabilitated. Family Pride Corporation is committed to protect the architectural harmony and physical characteristics of a neighborhood while supporting its improvement.

Rick Dover of Knoxville has served as general manager of Family Pride Corporation since 1993. The company’s emphasis on rehabilitating historic properties has brought great benefits to each community, according to Rick Dover. Knoxville residents know that each project Family Pride Corporation undergoes helps property values and community morale, as Rick Dover of Knoxville has found.

According to Rick Dover, Knoxville has suffered from the recent recession and high unemployment rates. During this time, Rick Dover, a Knoxville businessman, is proud to have been able to help local residents by creating jobs for each area. Rick Dover of Knoxville notes that job creation has followed each of Family Pride Corporation’s projects.

While the nation is gradually recovering, Rick Dover of Knoxville notes that growth has been slow, with hiring gradually improving. At the same time, the number of seniors needing living facilities is growing, according to Rick Dover. Knoxville has a number of abandoned buildings, some historic, and through repurposing those buildings, Rick Dover and Knoxville team members can help communities in a variety of ways.

Each remodeling project requires a talented team of construction workers and contractors, notes Rick Dover, a Knoxville businessman. This team works hard during the process to refurbish buildings, many of which have long been abandoned, according to Rick Dover. Knoxville has a rich past rife with culture and history, Rick Dover of Knoxville tells us, which makes pinpointing the perfect location for the next assisted living community a natural for his team.

Once remodeling is complete, Rick Dover of Knoxville says it’s time for a new round of hiring. Everyone from the executive staff to maintenance workers must be hired to support the new facility, states Rick Dover, Knoxville general manager. Additionally, a full staff of nurses are required to ensure seniors have the care they need, according to Rick Dover. Knoxville has a large population of qualified nurses, eager to work at a community like those Family Pride Corporation provides.

Rick Dover of Knoxville points to recent research that reveals that aging baby boomers will bring a large demand for health care in coming years. To prepare for this, Rick Dover, a Knoxville resident, believes that businesses like Family Pride Corporation must put communities and workers in place.

But Rick Dover and Knoxville Family Pride Corporation know that providing healthcare communities is only part of the equation. Family Pride Corporation centers its focus on providing personalized care to each customer. The team at Family Pride Corporation has found that each family has individual expectations for the care they want for family members, notes Rick Dover. Knoxville residents in particular are independent and interested in finding a home away from home.

In providing the “extras” each customer needs to feel comfortable, Rick Dover of Knoxville knows Family Pride Corporation is doing something special. Dover and Family Pride Corporation staff members are committed to keeping this level of care for many generations to come.