Monongalia commissioners approve new health-department site and sale of current building to WVU Hospitals

The Monongalia County Commission on May 13 approved a purchase agreement with White Birch Properties LLC for a new facility intended to house the county health department and authorized a sale of the commission’s current health-department property to WVU Hospitals, accompanied by a no-cost leaseback allowing county occupancy through July 1, 2027.

The commission said the White Birch property will provide approximately 55,000 square feet — reported by a presenter as roughly 25,000 square feet more than the department’s current usable space — and would allow the health department to consolidate services including dental and medical exam rooms. Commissioners discussed phased moves and a target of having all services in the new building by July 1, 2027. A motion to approve the purchase and to delegate signing authority to the commission president carried on a voice vote.

Michael Grayson, president and CEO of WVU Hospitals, praised the transaction as “a win‑win situation” that gives the university adjacent property for future expansion while allowing the county to relocate the health department into updated space. Commissioners noted the agreement with WVU includes a no-cost post‑occupancy leaseback to permit a coordinated, phased transition over the next year.

Commissioners and staff said the plan preserves current services and frees funds from the sale to support the relocation. The action follows staff and elected officials’ multi-year work to identify an appropriate site; the commission voted to authorize the agreements and to permit the commission president to execute the necessary documents on the county’s behalf.

The purchase- and sale-related motions were approved by voice vote. The commission said additional implementation steps and timelines will be handled by staff as the project proceeds.