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Plans to build health campus move forward

Project will be ‘a place for everyone to find wellness’

MINERAL RIDGE — Progress is being made to the former Youngstown Developmental Center facility — home to the future social services hub, which is tentatively being called The Campus of Care.

The Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board and the Western Reserve Port Authority are partnering to convert the group of 10 buildings, sitting on 38 acres, into a place to aid individuals with developmental disabilities, drug addiction and mental health issues.

“This is the only facility in this part of country with wrap around service,” said Mahoning County Commissioner Carol Rimedio-Righetti, who is the driving force behind this project. “I’m so happy Port Authority is on board, this is very important to our community as well as surrounding areas.”

Once opened, the campus will offer around the clock care for those in need. So far, the agencies that will be a part of the campus include Meridian Services, Compass Family & Community Services, Alta Care Group, Homes for Kids, the Trumbull and Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities, Easter Seals, Potential Development and the YMCA.

“Before it turns into substance abuse issues, we really have to capture the mental soundness aspect. That’s what we’re looking at. A place for everyone to find wellness, and we want to do it right,” said Sarah Lown, senior manager of economic development at the Western Reserve Port Authority.

Lown is heading the project and said she believes the agencies will be able to move in by July 1, 2020.

“They are an outstanding set of buildings, but we want to make capital improvements before we have everyone move in,” said Lown.

The improvements needed include safety upgrades and repairs to the roads and buildings such as the IT system, water and sewer upgrade, the widening and resurfacing of the roads, and signs, fencing, sidewalks, and landscaping added throughout the campus. Engineers estimate the cost at $2.85 million.

Lown said she believes the campus will be open for use in the second half of 2020.

“It will open in phases. Some parts will be ready and open in July 2020, while others will take a little while longer, a few months, maybe,” said Lown.

The Port Authority was initially reluctant to take on the project, but were met with overwhelming support from the Mahoning County Commissioners.

“The demand is way more than you’d ever realize. There’s all kind of money if you are a drug addict, but if you just need someone to make sure you take your medicine, there’s nothing,” said Anthony Trevena, director of Economic Development for the Port Authority.

“We need this, there aren’t enough of these facilities. I know it’s not cosmetically beautiful, and we need to get it on track. It’s important,” said Rimedio-Righetti.

bshiller@tribtoday.com

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