Portage Manor families holding press conference to discuss building closure

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Portage Manor families are hosting a press conference at the County-City Building Friday at 6 p.m. to answer questions about the county’s plans to close the residential healthcare facility.

The press conference will address the following questions:

• How were families and residents misled?
• Promises made to families and residents
• Health and safety of residents
• What happens next?
• And more

On June 6, the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners voted to close Portage Manor in a 2-1 vote.

On Tuesday, the St. Joseph County Council voted to close Portage Manor in a 5-4 vote.

On Wednesday, commissioners directed the Portage Manor administrator to submit a legally required plan that sets the closing date of the building to July 31.

Commissioner Carl Baxmeyer said this doesn’t mean residents will be kicked out on July 31, rather a county must submit a closure plan to the Indiana Department of Health at least 45 days before the closure of a building.

Baxmeyer said the county set the date for July 31 because it meets that 45-day minimum notice.

The building won’t close until all residents are rehoused, he said.

The press conference is open to the public.

Community members can attend in person or online via Zoom.

The meeting ID is 834 0535 3917 and the passcode is 802784.