North Country Officials Select Site For New Medical Facility

By Linda Kor
   North Country HealthCare officials have expressed an interest in expanding their existing operation in Holbrook by constructing a new facility.
   Brian Ketter of North Country explained what the new facility would provide for the community.
   City Manager Ray Alley informed the Holbrook City Council during Tuesday’s meeting that three sites had been located, and one appears to be ideal for the needs of the company and the community.
   “The current facility (on West Florida Street) is much smaller than the demand for services requires,” stated Ketter.
   The new facility would be 9,000-square feet and would allow the firm to double the number of practitioners from four to eight. The facilities for forensics and child victims of abuse will also be expanded.
   “Two of the sites were near Northland Pioneer College, but a concern arose because of the residential area where the streets would receive too much traffic,” stated Alley.
   A third site, located between Coronado II Apartments and Court Apartments, is 2.7 acres of land with utilities already accessible.
   “We will need an appraisal done, but with the current budget the survey and appraisal fees will need to be the burden of the purchaser,” stated Alley.
   Alley noted that all building permits would have to be registered with the city under licensed contractors, and since the site is surrounded by buildings, a drainage study would need to be done.
   “I would also want a two-year reverter clause if the facility is not built within that time,” added Alley.
   He also explained that the proposed site would not include the frontage commercial property.
   “That’s high-dollar frontage land that can be sold for restaurants or other businesses,” stated Alley.
   The council approved a motion for an appraisal of the property and a 30-day posting of the property for sale prior to any purchase.