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What's next for former Mt. Airy hospital site?

Hamilton County
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Provided

After more than a year of waiting for an answer, the group which owns the former Mercy Mt. Airy hospital site is looking for new options.  

Mercy Health offered to give Hamilton County the former hospital building. The idea was to renovate part of the facility into a crime lab, replacing the county's current cramped outdated one.

But this week, commissioners agreed to decline the offer.

Spokeswoman Nanette Bentley says Mercy Health is already weighing other options.

"Our parent organization, Mercy Health, has worked closely with Hamilton County and others to identify a responsible re-use of the campus," says Bentley. "We will continue to follow through on our commitment to find a new owner."

A few medical offices still remain at the site. Bentley says the hospital group has promised the Mt. Airy community it won't abandon the property.

"We promised to retain services on the campus, which we did. We also committed to the community that we would find a responsible owner for the property and ensure that the campus would not become derelict. Those remain our top priorities," Bentley says.

Senior Editor and reporter at WVXU with more than 20 years experience in public radio; formerly news and public affairs producer with WMUB. Would really like to meet your dog.