County breaks dirt on new health center

FEDERAL FUNDING HELP

This was a project that was very near and dear to my heart. We know this is very important to the community both from an EMS standpoint and from the public health standpoint.”

Mariannette Miller-Meeks, 1st District U.S. Representative

FORT MADISON – After more than two decades of the Lee County Health Department trying to find a permanent home, dirt was finally turned on a brand new facility in Fort Madison.
In the works since the county was set to receive $6.5 million in America Rescue Plan Act funding in 2021, Lee County Chairman Garry Seyb welcomed dignitaries and construction officials to a groundbreaking ceremony at the former Iowan Motel property adjacent to Shottenkirk GM on the city’s west side.
The new Meller Family Health Center will house the Lee County Health Department and Lee County EMS’s Fort Madison ambulance bay.
The building is projected to cost $6.5 million with construction set to begin any day with site clearing and environmental testing. It’s being funded with county ARPA funds, Community Development Block Grant funding, North Lee County Community Foundation support, and about $3 million in federal funds through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks ushered about $2.1 million through Congress as part of annual district set-asides for Congressional appropriations.
Miller-Meeks was on hand Monday for the ceremony.
“This was a project that was very near and dear to my heart. We know this is very important to the community, both from an EMS standpoint and from the public health standpoint. We worked with the county on the community project funding and we were happy to see them get an application in,” Miller-Meeks said.
Fort Madison City Manager Laura Liegois said the city was excited to see Lee County continue to improve their health care services for everyone in the county.
“We are excited to see Lee County doing their part to improve public health for our residents and the entire county,” she said.
Lee County Health Director Michele Ross threw her arms up and cheered as did her staff when she gave her remarks.
“The day is finally here!” she yelled to the crowd.
She said the health department has been searching for their own home for many, many years after moving from its location in the Kensington, to the former John Bennett Center at the former Iowa State Penitentiary.
Lee County EMS Director Mark Long said the new facility will enhance ambulance services in the northeast part of the county and provide needed space for training.
The project was kicked off almost two years ago.
Seyb noted the Meller family’s contribution to the health care in the county. He said the project not only provides citizens with a state-of-the-art health facility, but also provides a well-located ambulance bay to quickly service residents in this part of the county while providing county EMTs with a contemporary space to function.
Scott Meller spoke on behalf of the family during the ceremony saying they were happy to respond to the needs of the community and help make the project a reality.
The Meller family donated approximately eight acres of land just south of the Baxter Sports Complex between Shottenkirk Automotive and Cobblestone Inn and Suites to the county to use for public purposes.
The health center will be built on the south portion of the property and the remainder will sit undeveloped until the county determines how the property can be best used. The agreement with the Meller family is that it be used for public purposes in perpetuity.