Mystic — Work on the stalled Masonicare project has restarted, and the company estimates the 179 independent and assisted living rental units will be completed in late 2016.

While the 98 assisted living and memory care units were originally slated to be completed first followed by the 81 independent living units, Masonicare Chief Operating Officer Jon-Paul Venoit said Tuesday the plan now is to try to complete both phases as close to each other as possible.

Worked ceased on the project March 12 when the original contractor, Klewin Construction of Mystic, said that Senior Living by Masonicare LLC owed it more than $1.9 million for work it had completed.

Klewin has filed a mechanic’s lien and also a lawsuit against Senior Living By Masonicare LLC and project architect Bessolo Design Group seeking damages and possession of the property and improvements. Those actions are pending in Superior Court.

The project is located on a portion of the former Coogan Farm off Clara Drive and can be seen on the approach to McQuade’s Marketplace.

Two weeks ago, C.E. Floyd — a construction firm that has offices in Middletown and Bedford, Mass., and that has worked on other Masonicare projects — restarted work.

Venoit said site, road and foundation work will continue over the next few months. He said buildings will begin going up in the late fall.

The company said reservations have been placed on 34 of the independent units.

The monthly rental fee for independent living units will be based on square footage and is expected to range from $2,900 to $5,350 a month.

There is no entrance or endowment fee. There will be additional fees in connection with the assisted and memory care units.

The town has supported the project by waiving the $136,000 building fee for Senior Living By Masonicare LLC, which is a partnership between Masonicare and BROM Builders of Norwich.

Venoit said Masonicare expects to hire about the equivalent of about 100 full-time employees and some prospective workers have already expressed interest in jobs.

Masonicare of Mystic, which will own and operate the facility, will make annual payments in lieu of taxes of $140,000 and is expected to fall under the umbrella of the nonprofit Masonicare organization.

“We’re excited to have an opportunity to be in the Mystic area. We’re excited to work with the town and the community,” Venoit said.

j.wojtas@theday.com

Twitter: @joewojtas