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HealthFirst Clinic Plans Gaining Steam

The HealthFirst clinic on Newtown Pike is moving, but officials haven’t finalized a new location just yet.

The Newtown clinic has to move its operation by this December and the Southland clinic project now has a deadline of September 2015. Both facilities will be operated by the non-profit HealthFirst.

Fayette County Health Department chief financial officer Jack Cornett says a number of spots on Lexington’s north end are being considered for the Newtown clinic, all located on LexTran bus routes. Officials believe the move could save HealthFirst as much as $100,000 a year on rent.

Meanwhile, the troubled Southland clinic project – which has endured numerous delays, a critical report by the state auditor’s office, and the forced resignation of HealthFirst executive director William North  - is gradually moving closer to breaking ground. Cornett says construction management contracts with Lexington-based Congelton-Hacker Company should be signed by next week.

HealthFirst has been seeking to build the Southland clinic using an $11.7 million dollar federal grant  since 2010.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.