Author : Ujala Umair
The Lucas County Regional Board of Health has made a contingent offer to purchase the facility at 1933 Spielbusch Avenue from the Diocese of Toledo. This proposed acquisition is a significant step in the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department’s intention to relocate from its existing, outmoded facility.
The health department’s existing building has had serious infrastructure concerns for more than a decade, including recurring water leaks, HVAC system malfunctions/failures, and noncompliance with ADA standards. Electrical risks have routinely disrupted services and reduced departmental efficiency.
TLCHD and its typical circumstances
“This acquisition is a strategic investment in Lucas County’s public health future,” stated Health Commissioner Karim Baroudi. “It will enable us to carry on serving the community—now in a hygienic, secure, and easily accessible facility that satisfies the needs of our employees and residents.”
The department’s offer for the Spielbusch Avenue property is subject to regular requirements, including clear title transfer, financing, and inspections. Following clearance, TLCHD will start organizing its move to the new site, which will host over 100 key public health programs, such as vaccines, environmental health services, communicable disease prevention, and vital records. Baroudi continued, “This is about more than a building.” “It’s about maintaining dependable, high-quality public health services to protect the health of over 425,000 residents throughout Lucas County.”
Discussion about Relocation
Another major topic of discussion was the Toledo Health Department’s upcoming transfer to a new facility. The department’s current facility has been regarded as obsolete and unsuitable for providing necessary services, notably to families seeking immunizations. The committee was advised that a purchase deal for a new building had been approved, with intentions to fund upgrades to better serve the community. This move is intended to save the city money on maintenance expenditures associated with the older building, which has proven increasingly difficult to run.
The committee’s deliberations demonstrate a dedication to enhancing local services and supporting businesses, which could lead to great outcomes for Toledo’s people. As the health department prepares to relocate and businesses seek to overcome licensing obstacles, the committee’s actions aim to build a healthier, more vibrant neighborhood.
Cost and renovation
According to Baroudi, the evaluation also determined that the modifications would only last roughly ten years. “Because of the failing air conditioning system that we couldn’t find parts for in time, the temperature in the building was unbearable for families coming into our clinics,” Baroudi told the audience.
Baroudi stated that when considering alternatives, the diocese’s building emerged as the best option.
“The renovation is very minimal,” he stated. “The building there is very well kept.” The entire cost of moving and renovating will be $5 million. The city of Toledo will pay $3.1 million for the project, with the remaining funds coming from other jurisdictions served by the department.
According to Baroudi, the expanded area will benefit both workers and the department’s more than 100 current services.