Retirement centers to sell Clara Verner in light of mandated high-cost upgrades

About a year after a fire at Clara Verner Tower in Tuscaloosa forced renovations to meet fire codes, Alabama Baptist Retirement Centers (ABRC) has voted to divest itself from its flagship facility.
   
The sale of the property is nearly complete, though details are still being worked out, according to ABRC President William H. Austin, who announced the decision during his report to Alabama Baptist State Convention messengers Nov. 15.
   
“We came to possess the tower in 1976 and have loved our relationship with the residents at Clara Verner Tower,” he said. “We are going through countless meetings to make sure the residents will be provided for. We are confident that they will have the very best that can be offered to them in their new relationship. No one is being put out.”
   
The decision to sell ABRC’s first retirement center came hard emotionally but made sense financially, Austin told The Alabama Baptist later in an interview.
   
“There is a special spot in my heart for Clara Verner and for the residents — always has been,” said Austin, noting that his first job with ABRC was the manager position at Clara Verner. “The biggest thing is that there are so many capital needs at Clara Verner, and we are just not able to meet those capital needs.”
   
The proposed sprinkler system would cost more than $1 million, with a block grant from the city providing for only $287,000, according to the Tuscaloosa News. The buyer — Tuscaloosa businessman Stan Pate — plans to spend about $7 million renovating the building and has committed that the facility’s use will stay as-is for at least 15 years, according to the News.
   
“We are confident that it is his desire for it to basically be a showcase for the city — to be as picture-perfect and pristine as it can be, nearly new quality,” Austin told The Alabama Baptist. “This is just simply the best thing for residents at this time.”
   
The move will enable ABRC to focus on its four remaining facilities located on three sites — Baptist Village Townhouses and Hutto Tower in Dothan, Eastview in Montgomery and Knollwood in Roanoke.
   
“We were spending a lot of reserves on Clara Verner but were never really able to catch up. Now we can devote more time and resources to the other three (sites), which are doing extremely well,” Austin said.
   
In addition to noting the Clara Verner news during his report, he thanked Alabama Baptists for their financial and prayer support and for recommending ABRC to family members and friends.
   
“Many of your parents, your brothers, your sisters, your relatives and your neighbors …  have lived with us for many years, and we appreciate you recommending us to them and them to us,” Austin said.