DANVILLE – Geisinger is out with plan ‘B’ for their behavioral health facility they want to build in the Danville area.
According to new information from Geisinger, they say they’ve agreed to try to buy a piece of land from the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius behind the Maria Hall facility, in Mahoning Township, Montour County.
A previous land purchase idea was thwarted in Danville when a zoning change request was denied. This new plan also needs permission; approval of a property subdivision from the township. The zoning in the new area already would permit the proposed 96-bed behavioral health facility. Maria Hall is a nursing facility, residential and community facility used by the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius.
Geisinger says they’ll hold an informational meeting on the proposal soon.
Geisinger says they hope to address a significant unmet need in The Valley, the lack of beds for inpatient mental and behavioral health treatment.
In a Geisinger news release, Sister Barbara Sable, president of the Sisters of Saints Cyril and Methodius said, “This agreement and subsequent project continues our long history of service and ministry to those in need.
“As we worked to find potential partners for our property, it was important that they shared our mission of community and care to our neighbors. We’re pleased to have found that with this agreement, which will fill a critical need for so many with this facility,” she said.
Megan Brosious, chief administrative officer of Geisinger’s central region said, “We’re appreciative of the Sisters’ partnership and their ongoing support of the community and this project…Nearly 2,300 patients with a behavioral health diagnosis come to Geisinger Medical Center’s emergency room every year — a number we expect to grow significantly in the next five years. We are grateful for so many in the community who have shown their commitment to the health and well-being of our neighbors in need during this process and look forward to bringing this solution to fruition with Acadia.”
Geisinger said in the news release, “Once approved and the land purchase completed, Geisinger and its joint venture partner Acadia Healthcare plan to construct Geisinger Behavioral Health Center Danville, a 96-bed inpatient behavioral health facility. The proposed facility will be one story and meet the township’s land use requirements.
To provide township residents and the property’s neighbors with information on the proposed facility, the organizations are planning a community information session in the coming weeks.”
