Health Department consolidates environmental services

Now, it looks like the department’s prayers have been answered.

The department – a joint city and county effort – is consolidating many of its services into the former First Christian Science Church, 320 E. Central St.

The building had been sitting vacant for many years, and by the time the city acquired the building in the early 1990s, some problems – mostly leaks – had developed, according to Health Department Assistant Director Ron Boyer.

During the last nine months, the city spent $1.3 million to renovate the space for use as city and county office space, and Boyer said the health department had the most urgent need for extra room. Many employees were working from offices in the basement of historic City Hall and the health department facility at 227 E. Chestnut Expressway.

The former church now houses 30 employees – about 25 percent of the total health department staff – including workers in food inspection, milk inspection, lead poisoning control and county environmental services.

A formal dedication of the space will take place in June.

See SBJ’s May 29 issue for more on this story and other environmental issues news.