Health department renovation project estimated at $10M
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MORGANTOWN - On May 13, following years of on-and-off negotiations between Monongalia County and WVU Medicine, the two sides finalized the sale of the Monongalia County Health Department property to WVUM for $6 million.
That same day, the Monongalia County Commission approved a purchase agreement for $4.1 million with White Birch Properties LLC to make White Birch Tower II, located at 1311 Pineview Drive, the health department's new home.
The $1.9 million difference, it was explained, would be used to address existing issues with the building, including the roof and HVAC system, and retrofit the space to the health department's needs before the July 1, 2027 relocation deadline.
A little over two months later, on July 28, West Virginia University Health System President and CEO Albert Wright presented a check to the Monongalia County Commission for an additional $9 million "in support of public health initiatives."
It was noted at the time that should additional money be needed to assist the health department's move, a portion of these funds could also be used to that end.
As it turns out, it's likely going to take most of that money, if not all of it.
According to a preliminary estimate from Silling Associates, the cost to make White Birch Tower II ready for the health department is $10 million.
That number includes $1.2 million in contingencies which may or may not be needed.
The estimate came with a bit of sticker shock.
"So, you're saying basically it's all the money that we got," Commission President Tom Bloom said in response.
"I can't see it. I'll be very honest with you. I was expecting, when we had talked about this, it was $5 million, plus the $4 million [building purchase] to make about $10 million. That's what we had been generally talking about when we were looking at these general decisions. Nowhere was I expecting to use all $15 million, and I'm not happy. I don't know what we do."
Ultimately, the commission is somewhat boxed in by the extremely tight deadline to get the MCHD moved out of its current facility.
"I can't see any direction to Silling other than proceed as you have planned with the understanding that we want to watch those contingencies closely," Commissioner Sean Sikora said. "The big unknown is going to be when you start putting this out to bid."
Representatives from Silling Associates explained that a project to construct new facilities to house MCHD and the WIC program would likely start around $23 million.
It was also noted that in addition to increased revenue through expanded dental services, the health department anticipates bringing in approximately $200,000 annually on the back end through leases with existing tenants in the building.
Silling’s Marie McCauley told the commission, "We'll do everything we can to help you guys save money."
"I understand where you're coming from, too, Tom. We weren't in on the early discussions about how much you thought it was going to cost, but you can kind of see if from our point, too. This is what we think it's going to cost right now, and we'll keep going unless you guys give us other direction," she said.