SHELBY — Third Street Family Health Services plans to expand renovations to its Shelby center following a recent allocation from Ohio’s capital budget.
State Sen. Mark Romanchuk (R-Ontario) announced nearly $5 million in state capital budget funding for projects in Senate District 22 on June 17, including $350,000 for the Shelby Health and Wellness Center.
The Shelby Center on Third Street, located at 31 E. Main St., is currently undergoing renovations to expand its services, including obstetrics/gynecology, behavioral health and existing medical and dental areas.
Alex Goff, director of development for Third Street Family Health Services, said the recent funding created an opportunity to expand renovations to the center.
“We had some things planned for a phase two and we’re looking to move some of those forward,” he said.
Third Street plans to make improvements to the facade and roof of the front side of the East Main Street building.
Goff said Third Street hopes to reopen its Shelby center by early fall of this year.
“This will allow us to keep our doors open and not have to close again for a second phase or disrupt patient operations, so we’re grateful from that perspective,” he said.
Renovations to include a central waiting area
According to precedents Richland Source Third Street has reportedly seen an increase in total patients of more than 100 percent over the past five years at its Shelby center.
Goff said Shelby’s patient retention rate, including those who have to travel to Third Street facilities in Mansfield and Bucyrus, has been “exceptional.”
“We’re excited to be able to make this access point a little easier for the people of Shelby,” he said.
The Shelby Health and Wellness Center renovations will also include a central waiting area, the development director said.
Goff had previously said that waiting areas for medical and dental services were separate.
“The nice thing about this is that we will now have a central waiting room where people can go for dental care, medical care or, later, additional behavioral health and ob-gyn services,” Goff said.
“We hope this will lead to a more holistic approach to health care for our patients and give them access to more services that they didn’t have before the renovation.”
Third Street ‘thrilled’ to be part of downtown Shelby’s renaissance
Third Street serves Richland, Ashland, Crawford and Marion counties. It merged last year with Community Counseling and Wellness Centers In Bucyrus and Marion, mental health services expanded.
Goff said Third Street is excited that its renovation in downtown Shelby is part of the city’s recent “renaissance.”
“To be able to modernize this building (31 E. Main St.), contribute to this sort of downtown revival and make it a more enjoyable and accessible space for Shelby residents… I’m just excited to be able to contribute on that front,” he said.
Updates regarding renovations at the Shelby Health and Wellness Center are periodically posted on the Third Street Facebook page.
