The town of Bluefield, West Virginia, in enjoying a major downtown revitalization win with the grand opening of the Bluestone Family Practice health clinic, which restored and reused a derelict historic building.
Northern WV Brownfields Assistance Center‘s (NBAC) Ray Moeller was able to help bring the project to fruition through the Downtown Appalachia Redevelopment Initiative at West Virginia University by providing funding for a preliminary architectural analysis and subsequent drawings by VanNostrand Architects.
Bluestone Health Association celebrated the grand opening of their new location at 701 Bland Street on July 30, 2021 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The clinic will offer much-needed medical services to local residents after the recent closure of the Bluefield Regional Medical Center in 2020.
The Hawley Building in November of 2020, prior to renovation.
Bluestone Family Practice is housed in the historic Hawley Building, a prominent-but-dilapidated historic structure that was saved and adapted to meet the clinic’s current needs.
At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Bluestone EDA Executive Director Jim Spencer thanked Moeller for his assistance on the project.
“Just looking at the [Hawley Building] we knew it would take someone who was visionary to see the bigger picture for the potential of this building. BEDA can’t thank DARI enough for funding the architectural plans so Ms. Hutchens and the Bluestone Health team could see just how the building would be perfect for their next location,” said Spencer. “Ms. Hutchens saw our vision and she and her team took it to the next level. You wouldn’t believe what this place looked like beforehand.”
The new location began accepting patients on August 2.
The Hawley Building in July of 2021, after renovation.
Back on November 19, 2020, Bluestone Health acquired the Hawley Building from the Bluefield WV Economic Development Authority (BEDA) to establish another Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).
“The partnership came at a perfect time after the sudden need to expand healthcare in Bluefield,” concluded Spencer. “We are elated that Linda and the Bluestone Health Association board chose downtown Bluefield. This is a real shot in the arm for our downtown.”
The ceremony for this successful BEDA project began with opening remarks from CEO Linda Hutchens who then welcomed Bluestone Health Association President Norman Fletcher to share his excitement for the new location.
Hutchens then asked Mayor Ron Martin and Spencer to share their remarks regarding the project. Tours were then offered of the building to interested parties.
All photos courtesy of BEDA.