North Port Health Center expansion to start soon

Sarasota County commissioners approved a $1.8 million expansion project for the Sarasota County Health Department's branch clinic in the southern end of the county.

The county purchased the building at 6950 Outreach Way, North Port, late last year for $525,000. The North Port Health Center, which provides healthcare services to the underinsured and uninsured, has leased half of the building since September 2004.

The expansion, from eight to 18 exam rooms, will allow the clinic to serve 15,000 patients a year, compared to the 4,000 a year it currently treats. The building's pharmacy, medical records area and medical laboratory will also be expanded in the project.

The county hired Naples-based DeAngelis Diamond Construction Inc. for the work, which is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

“Weather permitting, we hope to back in there by the end of the year or the first of January,” says Barry Knoth, director of general services for the county health department. “We have an extensive waiting list now for new patients. There is a lot of pent up demand for our services.

A majority of the money for the project, more than $1 million, will come from the county's general fund. The rest of the money is in grants awarded by the Gulf Coast Community Foundation of Venice and the federal government.