Well being Proper, metropolis await bids on Scott Avenue challenge

MORGANTOWN — Representatives from town of Morgantown and Milan Puskar Well being Proper say each events are nonetheless dedicated to shifting Well being Proper’s Spruce Road clinic out of downtown Morgantown. 

Particulars on if and/or when that transfer might occur, and the way a lot it’s going to value, needs to be a lot clearer within the subsequent week or so. 

“The town and Well being Proper are nonetheless working collectively, and all events are working to maintain this shifting ahead,” Assistant Metropolis Supervisor Emily Muzzarelli defined, noting bids on a challenge to renovate Well being Proper’s new Scott Avenue constructing will probably be in subsequent week. 

As beforehand reported, town approached Well being Proper in September 2021 and supplied $800,000 in American Rescue Plan cash if Well being Proper would agree to maneuver the clinic and Friendship Home out of the downtown by March 31, 2023. 

The Friendship Home, Well being Proper’s psychological well being drop-in heart at 231 Walnut St., closed its doorways in February and reopened in Might at 277 Don Knotts Boulevard with a brand new mission and a brand new identify, Friendship Group in Restoration. 

As for the clinic, Well being Proper bought a constructing at 10 Scott Ave., a stone’s throw from Hazel’s Home of Hope, and made plans to show the 6,000-square-foot house right into a functioning multi-faceted clinic and workplace.  

However value estimates for that challenge got here again greater than $1 million past what Well being Proper had readily available. 

On the time, Milan Puskar Well being Proper Govt Director Laura Jones stated the transfer was on maintain till a minimum of June 2024. 

In keeping with Muzzarelli, the challenge at present out for bid does mirror some minor modifications in comparison with what Well being Proper was taking a look at earlier than. As well as, there may be optimism the challenge will draw extra bidders this time round. 

Lastly, she conceded, further {dollars} could also be vital. 

“A number of entities had alluded to pitching in additional, together with town if wanted,” Muzzarelli stated. 

Jones stated she’s optimistic there may be actual progress being made. 

“We’re nearer to a path ahead and may know quickly what that may appear to be,” she stated. 

The ten-578-square-foot constructing the clinic at present occupies, at 341 Spruce St., stays listed on the market with Black Diamond Realty for $975,000.