Coshocton Health District moving into new facility
COSHOCTON − The Coshocton Public Health District is almost moved into its new permanent home at 637 Chestnut St.
The city and county health departments merged in December. In February 2022, Coshocton County Commissioners announced it had purchased the former Hopewell Industries building to be new offices for the health department and the Coshocton County Coroner's Office. The rear of the building has also been turned into a new community meeting room, which recently hosted meetings by the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association and Coshocton Criminal Justice Collaborative.
Steve Lonsigner, health commissioner, said the health district and WIC are operating out of the new facility. The prenatal and child health clinics are still at the Coshocton County Services Building on Seventh Street. Lonsigner said they should be moving soon. There's also a lot of records to be transferred from the old office, he added.
Commissioner Dane Shryock said they will postdate a lease for March 1 and the cost will be $1 for as long as the health district is located there. Shryock said the lease could be modified and the health district might be asked to pay other cost allocations if a levy is passed. Lonsigner said part of the contract with the city on the merger was to try for a levy within six years. Issues of maintenance and building insurance are still being worked out.
Also discussed with commissioners at a recent meeting was the parking situation. Shryock said the lot will be resealed and striped in June. It's estimated the lot will then have about 60 spots, including two that are handicapped.
Lonsinger said they have 18 employees when fully staffed with three agency vehicles. He would also like to designate six parking spots for public parking of those coming into the health district. Other spots could be used for those coming to an event at the public meeting room. There is also available parking at another building and church across the street, Shryock said, and other possible parking in the area.
Shryock said they're working on a flag and light for a flagpole and signage outside the building as well.
An open house and ribbon cutting for the new facility is being planned for early May.
Leonard Hayhurst is a community content coordinator and general news reporter for the Coshocton Tribune with more than 15 years of local journalism experience and multiple awards from the Ohio Associated Press. He can be reached at 740-295-3417 or llhayhur@coshoctontribune.com. Follow him on Twitter at @llhayhurst.
This article originally appeared on Coshocton Tribune: Coshocton Health District moving into new facility
