PUBLIC HEALTH
The Jones County Health Department building on Forest Street is undergoing an overhaul, and that means those seeking services will be temporarily served at a nearby location.
The temporary move began Nov. 2, and the Health Department is scheduled to reopen at the new location Monday, Nov. 7, at 273 Railroad Street, according to Jones County Nurse Manager Sherry Bryant.
The temporary location is to the right of the Jones County Pre-K complex, sharing the wing of the building that already houses the Friends of the Library.
The health department building was constructed in 1990, and the building’s square footage is listed as 6,400. The renovation had been proposed for years but was derailed by the pandemic.
That makes it a bit ironic that it was a Community Development Block Grant funded by CARES Act money that is funding a majority of the renovations.
Morris Hutcheson with the North Central Health District received approval to move forward with the renovations by Board of Health members and brought it to the Jones County Board of Commissioners at their Aug. 17, 2021, meeting.
He started with basic information about the building, including that the facility had four exam rooms, nine office spaces and sits on 1.34 acres.
Hutcheson said the interior of the building needs renovating to serve the community more efficiently.
Greg Boike with the Middle Georgia Regional Commission spoke about a new CDBG program that could provide up to $1 million for the project. He said the grant required a 10 percent match, and the application was due Dec. 10.
Hutcheson asked the county to provide the matching funds in partnership with the health department.
Commissioner Sam Kitchens said the CDBG program sounded like a good opportunity.
BOC Chairman Chris Weidner stated that he knew as a member of the Board of Health for the past five years that the health department had funds available for the grant match.
The commissioners did approve securing an architect for the project, which was the next step for the grant application.
Hutcheson had good news for Board of Health members at their March 2 meeting in the receipt of the $1 million CBDG funds for the building renovation.
He explained what the renovations would include. He said the interior of the health department would be gutted and reformatted. In addition to the renovation, an 1,800 square foot addition to the building would also be added.
Hutcheson said a training room would be included with training tables that would also serve as the new board room. He said there would be a wellness room and an additional restroom with outside access. An infectious disease room equipped with outside access and a drive-through that would be under a canopy are part of the plan.
Hutcheson said environmental health would be moved to the rear right corner and those offices would have access from the rear of the building. WIC would be moved to the right side with a reformatted intake area and exam room.
Exam rooms would be reconfigured to the center of the building, each with sinks, and the lab would be moved to front of the building with an immunization room incorporated.
Hutcheson said the goal is to have a more convenient layout, and the health department would be working with the city and county to add more signage. The renovations are expected to take 10 months.
BTBB was selected to be the architectural firm to design and oversee the project. William Stanford with BTBB came to the Oct. 4 Board of Commissioner meeting with good news about the bids for the project.
He said the low bid received from Stafford Builders was $64,000 under budget. The bid was in the amount of $1,220,100 and was unanimously approved by the commissioners.
The number to call for more information about health department services is 478-986-3164.
