Preparations are under way for work to begin on a one-stop shop for health services in North Warren.
According to a spokesman, Beacon Light Behavioral Health Systems staff have already begun clearing the former Quality Market building on Market Street Ext. in preparation for renovations which could begin as soon as November.
Beacon Light purchased the building in December 2011 with the intent of converting the site to house consolidated "recovery services" which are currently located at different locations throughout the Warren State Hospital campus.
Beacon Light is now partnering with Warren General Hospital to help fund the renovations in what is described as a "collaborative effort to build a state-of-the-art medical facility for the residents of Warren County."
The site houses nearly an acre of indoor space and is located on a TAWC bus route.
"The overall size of the building, which is almost an acre under roof, can accommodate not only the full range of adult recovery services, but offers ample additional space to lease to partner agencies offering complimentary services," the release noted.
"Over the past several months, a few interested parties have inquired about the space and the possibility of leasing a portion of it," Richard Seager, president and CEO of Beacon Light, said. "The one that made the most sense right out the gate was for Warren General Hospital to incorporate some of this space for physician offices. We just signed a memo of understanding with Warren General Hospital to locate cost effective consolidation of physician practices within the building."
Beacon Light and Warren General plan to offer separate, distinct services at the site, but hope the shared location will offer an easy access solution for healthcare.
"While the service offered by Beacon Light and the physician services of the hospital will be separate and distinct," Warren General CEO John Papalia said, "our co-location provides easy access to medical resources for our entire community."
According to Beacon Light, the agreement is a step toward the creation of a "medical mall" of single location services.
Seager said, "This partnership offers incredible potential for the clients that both of our organizations serve."
"Beyond having psychiatric and medical services in the complex, we are evaluating expanded hours for medical walk-in services," Papalia said.
The two organizations are currently consulting an architect, "to create a well-integrated space plan," according to the Beacon Light statement.