“It’s been two years in the making,” said Debbie Price, executive director of the Evergreen Elm agency, while looking around the expansive living room of the new Benton House group home.

An open house Tuesday, which included tours of the new house along with refreshments, was held in conjunction with the Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event. More than 200 people attended.

The home, which will begin housing 15 special needs male individuals next week, replaces the agency’s Victorian group home which was destroyed by fire exactly two years ago this week.

“The fire was April 20, shortly after noon,” Price said of the fire that occurred in 2016.

Following the fire, the 11 former residents were spit up and lived in other structures until their new home could be completed.

The $1.5 million facility, which had many community sponsors and donations, has been under construction since groundbreaking last May.

“It’s lovely, it’s really lovely,” Price said of the 7,200-square-feet, split-level home designed by Bradford architect Curt Wallace of C.J. Wallace Engineering LLC, and constructed by Hennard Construction. A new garage for the facility is expected to be built next month.

In addition to an exterior design that compliments the neighborhood, and an interior that serves the residents and staff, the house also contains stylish, comfortable furnishings.

“We bought all the furnishings from a company that makes furniture for the intellectually and mentally disabled,” Price explained. “So it’s pretty much indestructible.”

She said there are six semi-private bedrooms and three private bedrooms that are handicap-accessible.

The ground floor, which has a separate entrance for staff, contains three offices for the director, supervisor and mobile med registered nurse, she added.

“The rest of it is a training room, we want to be looked at as a center of excellence for mental health,” Price continued. “We plan on doing a lot of educational events.”

Staff member Laurie Ludwig also noted the entire group home will serve as an education center for the residents

“Our goal, if at all possible, is at some point we want to educate (the residents) enough that they can go out and live on their own,” she added.

Beth Race, president of the Evergreen Elm board of directors, said Tuesday’s open house was her first visit to the home.

“I love that it’s spacious and the colors are calming,” Race said of the home named in memory of longtime Evergreen Elm supporter Rick Benton. “I love the thought that went into not only the building but the details that make sure the clients are comfortable, the staff is comfortable and it’s up to code.

“It’s a new chapter and out of the ashes is this beautiful, amazing building,” Race remarked.

Staff members who will work in the new house include Jamie Babcock and Leichelle Smith.

“I love it, it’s beautiful here and I’m very excited,” Babcock said. “It’s a lot bigger than I thought … and it’s definitely more handicapped accessible.”

Smith said she and the other staff appreciate the separate offices downstairs for employees.

“It’s going to be more private for the individuals and their living situation,” Smith commented. “And downstairs will be more convenient for us when we’re trying to get our work done.”

Community officials on-hand at the event included Mayor Tom Riel who said he was pleased the home was rebuilt on the same site in the city.

“It’s a really, really nice project,” he said. “And all the (residents) will be within walking distance of all the amenities of Bradford.”