Parkland Health Center has donated a number of properties surrounding the former Mineral Area Regional Medical Center. This contribution will benefit the Farmington community as well as St. Francois County and the entire region.
A building previously used as a medical office building was donated to St. Francois County to house, among other things, a morgue to serve the surrounding 20 counties. Parkland has also donated equipment for the morgue.
“We are thrilled and excited about the donation BJC HealthCare and Parkland Health Center have made to St. Francois County,” says Harold Gallaher, St. Francois County presiding commissioner. “This building will be known as SFC Weber Road Facility and will serve many purposes for our County citizens – and at a significant cost savings.
“The former medical office building is in excellent condition and move-in ready. Our thanks to the many people at BJC and Parkland Health Center who have helped make this dream come true.”
Another building on the property, the Family Resource Center, will be donated to the City of Farmington. The Farmington OAKS Senior Center currently uses half of the building, and plans to expand and occupy the entire building. Half of the building was previously used for hospital departments.
Greg Beavers, city administrator for Farmington, says Parkland Health Center has been a good partner in the community.
“The generous donation of property to the city for the new library in 2014 and the donation of the senior center building this year demonstrate the commitment of the board of directors and administration to strengthen our city and improve the quality of life for its citizens,” he says. “The mayor, city council and administration sincerely appreciate the support shown by the hospital and BJC.”
In addition, Habitat for Humanity St. Francois County will benefit from approximately one acre of land at the corner of Weber and Wallace Roads. Two houses that have been empty for over a decade and the land they sit on, have been donated to the organization.
According to Linda Dickerson-Bell, executive director of Habitat for Humanity St. Francois County, the organization plans to tear down the houses to build up to two new houses on the property.
"Habitat for Humanity is so thrilled to be selected for this donation of property,” she says. “We depend on having lots/land available to build new homes in each community of the County, so this will give us some potential lots in the Farmington area. We are grateful for the gift, and look forward to passing along a new home to a family in need in the future.”