MOUNT VERNON – Knox Public Health has received a $150,000 grant from Knox County Foundation (KCF) going toward the new health center building on West Vine Street.

This is a one-time payment the agency received notice of on Aug. 10, with funds coming in sometime early to mid-September. 

The plan is to renovate the former Strang Glass building at 202 W. Vine Street. The facility will include nine medical treatment rooms and two behavioral health counseling offices.

Additionally, the building will have telehealth privacy capabilities and five additional exam rooms to increase patient care.

“I cannot be more pleased for them to be part of this and understanding the importance of us being accessible to the downtown area,” Health Commissioner Zach Green said at August’s health board meeting.

“We will enhance parking to ensure easy access and to adhere to the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).”

Knox County Foundation’s Grants Committee and Board of Directors agreed the decision to relocate the majority of Knox Public Health’s services to a centralized location in downtown Mount Vernon would greatly benefit the entire county, KCF Program Director Lisa Lloyd said.

“The new location will provide increased access to care and provide opportunities for Knox Public Health to enhance services by easing transportation issues and taking advantage of the proximity to downtown resources such as a pharmacy and a variety of social service agencies,” she noted. 

Improving access to healthcare within the community

This project centers on improving access to care within the community.

The agency stated its Federally Qualified Health Center had a 229% increase in patients in 2022, which directly correlated to service availability in downtown Mount Vernon.

“These numbers show that being centrally located has dramatically improved access to care in our community,” Lloyd said. “Knox Public Health’s plans for their new location will provide more medical exam rooms as well as behavioral health counseling offices, further enhancing access to care.

Demolition began on Monday. Target date for occupancy of the new building is the beginning of the new year. 

KPH hired Green Valley Design to create the plans for the 4,000-square-foot building. On Jan. 1, 2022, Moore Family Practice at 206 S. Mulberry St. became part of the community health center.

The Care Now Clinic, operated by Behavioral Healthcare Partners, and Ogle Family Practice will remain in its location at 206 S. Mulberry St.

by Grant Ritchey August 24, 2023