By T. Scott Boatright
People in Lincoln Parish most in need of healthcare are about to receive the opportunity for better healthcare after a long-awaited move was made during Tuesday’s Lincoln Parish Police Jury (LPPJ) meeting at the Lincoln Parish Courthouse.
That came after the LPPJ approved a change order and authorized the signing of a letter of substantial completion for the Health Hub project.
What that means is that the near $9 million project being planned and worked on since 2022 is now under state and parish control and is slated for a ribbon cutting/grand opening ceremony at 10 a.m. Aug. 1, with a soft opening slated for July 16.
Located on Mills Avenue near the Northern Louisiana Medical Center, the project was designed to consolidate services and upgrade healthcare facilities for residents, particularly those with limited access to such.
The new complex includes a main building housing the Health Unit and Health Hut, plus a separate building for the Lincoln Parish H.E.L.P. (Humanitarian Enterprises of Lincoln Parish) agency, which assists low income individuals and families with utility assistance, rent, transportation and other needs.
And the news got even better when jurors were asked to discuss Change Order No. 1 for the project, which was on the meeting’s agenda.
“What we’re talking about with the change order is that there’s no change in the project price,” Parish Administrator Courtney Hall said. “There were some delays due to weather-related activities, but there’s no change in the contract.
“We’re still tabulating things with (Lincoln Builders), but they feel confident they’ll come back to us at some point with what they call some significant savings.”
Funding for the project is being allocated from COVID-19 American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds received by the parish.
Louisiana’s Office of Public Health will run The Health Unit, a clinic that will provide services such as immunizations, reproductive health issues and Women, Infant and Children’s (WIC) and dental services mostly to uninsured parish residents.
The Health Unit also handles water safety testing for all area water systems and provides health inspections.
Layout wise, the new 12.500 square foot main Health Hub building will house the Health Unit on the east side of the main building and the Health Hut on the west side with a shared reception space and break rooms in between.
The building will feature multiple examination rooms, storage areas and a large demonstration kitchen for WIC services.
Separated by a shared parking lot, the new 3,500 square foot HELP Agency building will house the HELP Agency, Coroner’s office and other support spaces.
The LPPJ also authorized the engagement of architect Michael Walpole during Tuesday’s meeting for services related to new flooring and lighting at the Lincoln Parish Library.
“Flooring needs to be replaced throughout the library side and the lighting will be upgraded,” said Parish Purchasing Officer Jerri Lynn Smith. “It’s really yellow and old lighting and will be replaced by LED white lights. Mr. Walpole suggested that if we’re going to redo the flooring, we might as well repaint, so that is part of it, too.”
In other business, the LPPJ also approved acceptance of a bid from Amethyst Construction of West Monroe for a six-month contract running from July to the end of the year to provide hot mix for $110 per ton.
