County will keep health care facility
BY MARY PERHAM THE LEADER

PHOTO BY JASON COX/THE LEADER Work continues on construction of Steuben County's new health care facility on Mt. Washington Road in Bath.

BATH - A Steuben County committee last week recommended keeping the county-owned health care facility it plans on replacing later this year.

Exactly what the county will do with the building that houses senior citizens hasn't been determined.

But members of the Legislature's Agriculture, Industry and Planning Committee Monday unanimously voted to keep the building rather than tear it down.

Legislator Kenneth Isaman, R-Hornellsville, said the vote was really about the $1.3 million cost to demolish the building, located on Mt. Washington Road.

"Well, I can't see county residents wanting to demolish it, it's only 30 years old," Isaman said. "I think they'll want us to use it."

The recommendation will likely be voted on by the full Legislature when it meets on Jan. 22.

A possible use for the building is to relocate some county offices that have run out of room in the downtown county office complex. The county could also lease or sell the building.

The old county facility is expected to be vacated by next winter, when a new $19 million senior housing center opens next door.

Last year, county legislators approved construction of a new facility that will have 105 beds. Doing so will give the county more state funding in caring for clients while providing more rehabilitative services.