Monongalia County approves new health‑department site, sells current property to WVU Hospitals with no‑cost leaseback

The Monongalia County Commission voted May 13 to buy a larger facility for the county health department and to sell the county’s existing health‑department and WIC building to WVU Hospitals under a no‑cost leaseback agreement.

Commissioners approved a purchase agreement with White Birch Properties LLC for a replacement site described at the meeting as offering roughly 55,000 square feet — substantially more room than the county’s current facility — and said the building would include a full dental clinic, medical exam rooms and consolidated public‑health services. A commissioner described the location as "within a short distance of both hospitals" and suited to bus access.

The commission also approved a separate real‑estate purchase and sale agreement with WVU Hospitals and a related no‑cost leaseback that will allow the county to remain on site until the move is completed. The commission delegated the president to sign any transaction documents on behalf of the county. At the meeting a representative identified in the record as the "president and CEO of WVU Hospitals" said the arrangement was a "win‑win situation" that will allow WVU to expand campus health services while giving the county a newer facility.

Commissioners discussed a phased relocation plan and set an internal target of being fully moved into the new site by July 1, 2027, noting some services may relocate earlier. County staff said the purchase is part of a long process dating back a decade and that proceeds from the sale will help fund the acquisition and transition.

The action passed by voice vote. Next steps at future meetings will include finalizing closing documents, detailed phasing and moving plans, and coordination with health‑department staff about temporary service continuity.

Because the motion and related agreements were presented and approved during a single public agenda item, commissioners did not vote separately on individual tenant or fit‑out details; those implementation steps were described as staff responsibilities to execute according to the approved agreements.