By Kate McCardell

Published: May 7, 2008

The Jackson County Health Department is one step closer to being located at the current location of the old Sykes building at the entrance to the Marianna-Jackson County Industrial Park.

At Tuesday’s Marianna City Commission meeting, the board unanimously voted to give the city’s share of the Sykes property to the county, making it possible for the health department to be constructed on the site.

“The city commission acted in the way in which I had hoped they would, thereby clearing the way, hopefully, for the health department project to be located on the property that was once used for the Sykes building,” said JCHD director William Long. 

On Friday the House and Senate passed the 2008-2009 state budget, allocating over $10 million for the health department project. While one location is already available for construction of the new health department, Long and other officials set their sights on the Sykes location.

One of the reasons the Sykes site appeals to them, said Long, is that its size provides ample room for growth at about twice the size of the site at Park Center, donated by owners Bob and Katherine Pforte to the county for the construction of a health department.

The Sykes parcel is about 12 acres, said Long, and until recent events, it was owned jointly by the county and the City of Marianna.

“In order to build the health department, the property has to be totally owned by the county,” explained Long.

Long spoke before the city commission at Tuesday’s meeting, asking the board to consider the benefits the community would have in the requested location for the new health department.

“In one way or another, everyone eventually goes to the health department,” he told the board.

The city commission conveyed its interest in the property for the sole purpose of constructing the health department, with a reverter clause that if the health department is not built on that site, the city’s share will be returned.

Long said he plans to appear before county commissioners at their Tuesday, May 13 meeting.

“Now it is my hope that the county will accept the share of property given to them by action of the city council last night to allow this to move forward,” said Long.

If the county commission approves, the next step would be the clearing of the property, which would be funded by a portion of the $10 million.