Fulton County plans to spend $11 million to buy a former Comcast call center and convert it into a health services facility in the north part of the county.
Now, public health, behavioral health and developmental disability services are spread across three north Fulton buildings. Dick Anderson, the county manager, said consolidating the health services will make them more accessible for residents and potentially allow the county to co-locate other related services in the same building.
The deal will close in November, and the new facility, at 4700 North Point Parkway in Alpharetta, would likely open late next year.
“It will be a one-stop shop for public health services,” Anderson said.
Last year, the county served nearly 14,000 residents in north Fulton between the three services. Anderson and others said they expect that number to rise with increased visibility and easier access for residents.
“It can only help us with our services,” said Liz Hausmann, a county commissioner who represents the north part of the county. “I see nothing but positives out of this.”
The county plans to sell one building on Roswell Road that houses developmental disability services, but has been poorly maintained. A Royal Drive property used for public health that is being leased will no longer be needed. And space in the county's north annex used for behavioral health services will be put to other uses.
Anderson said potential partners for the new space include Grady Memorial Hospital, addiction services or a DUI court.
In the south part of the county, health services will remain spread between several buildings. Anderson said the services are more established in those areas, and it is better for the county to have a wider footprint for services. For the Alpharetta facility, the county looked at where services were already being used and where they would likely be needed, and found space in response to those demographics.
The new building will be on a MARTA bus line.
Bob Ellis, a Fulton County commissioner who represents north Fulton, said he thinks the changes will mean a lot to the population the county is trying to serve.
“I think it will be very well-received,” he said. “Once we get this up and going, it’s going to fill a lot of needs.”
About the Author
