By Alan Lytle
Lexington, KY – Lexington-Fayette County spokesman Kevin Hall says his agency has wanted to collaborate with the mental health board on a project and very soon it will.
"Bluegrass is going to construct a 60-thousand square foot building on about three acres of land. It's going to be next to the campus they already have on Newtown Pike. It's going to be a three level facility and they have graciously allowed us to house primary care center services in one of the levels."
Hall says a huge chunk of the construction costs will be paid through a 12 million dollar federal grant.
"The funds are part of a HRSA grant; that's Health Resources and Services Administration grant. And it's all part of President Obama's Health Insurance Reform Bill and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. So this is a really great opportunity for Lexington to take some of these federal dollars and put them to the people who need it the most."
The Bluegrass Regional Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board provide clinical and counseling services for adults, children, and families suffering from mental illness, emotional difficulties, substance abuse, and other related problems.