SHELBY — Alex Goff was tasked to help bring a Third Street Family Health Services’ project to fruition moments after his orientation with the non-profit.
Planned renovations to Third Street’s health and wellness center in Shelby had already begun prior to Goff joining Third Street as its development director in July 2023.
He said the Health Resources and Services Administration, one of the project’s funders, had allocated money to the renovations several years ago.
“At the time we thought the money that they had allocated would probably be appropriate to do the entire renovation,” Goff said.
However, impacts from COVID and increased costs of materials due to rising inflation ballooned the project’s anticipated costs — creating a “substantial shortfall.”
“It was kind of like day one, we needed to find people that see the vision and want to get on board,” Goff said. “It was literally go to orientation — ‘We need you to help make sure this project comes to fruition.'”
After a complete overhaul of its interior, the Shelby Health and Wellness Center recently re-opened its doors to patients in the city’s downtown.
“It’s been nice to see it through and it’s actually in a complete state,” the development director said.
What’s new?
Interior renovations began at Third Street’s Shelby Health and Wellness Center in December 2023 and cost between approximately $1.1 to $1.2 million.
“That’s a full makeover of the interior of the building,” Goff said, adding not even the building’s original plumbing remains.
At its Shelby center, Third Street provides primary and dental care — now expanded thanks to facility renovations. The non-profit has also allocated space for behavioral health, OB/GYN and women’s care.
Goff said behavioral health, OB/GYN and women’s care will likely begin being offered between late 2025 and early 2026.
The Shelby Health and Wellness Center now has seven medical exam rooms and five dental operatories — including new wheelchair accessible equipment.
Third Street’s investment in its Shelby center was inspired by several things, including data-driven evidence of the need to offer services in the city.
“Over the last five years, we saw our patient panel here at Shelby double,” Goff said.
Opportunities also exist to serve patients from surrounding communities, including Plymouth, Willard and Ontario.
“To be able to be a part of that and be a part of the resurgence of the (Shelby) downtown, I think all those were crucial elements for us to make this investment,” he said.
(Below is a presentation showing the Shelby Health and Wellness Center before and after renovations. Courtesy of Alex Goff, development director at Third Street Family Health Services.)
Phase One complete
Full interior renovations to Third Street’s Shelby center were an ambitious “phase one,” but the non-profit has future long-term goals for the downtown facility.
Goff said in the future, Third Street would like to re-do the center’s parking lot and make improvements to the building’s Main Street facade.
“We’re looking at ways that we can continue to invest dollars here in Shelby and update our facility to make sure that we’re giving everybody a first-class experience and we’re not slacking on any part of that,” he said.
Folks can visit the recently modernized space — designed for improved patient care and comfort — during a ribbon cutting ceremony set for Tuesday, Dec. 3 at 1 p.m.
Third Street President and CEO Peggy Anderson said the newly renovated facility represents a significant step forward in the non-profit’s mission to provide high-quality, accessible healthcare for everyone in Shelby.
“This transformation allows us to expand our services, improve patient comfort and ensure that our community has access to a state-of-the-art healthcare environment right here at home,” she said.
“We’re excited to continue our commitment to Shelby’s health and well-being in a space that truly reflects our dedication to the people we serve.”
Community contributes to renovations
Goff said he wanted to thank everyone who has helped make the project a reality, including HRSA, the Milliron Foundation, the Shelby Foundation, Delta Dental and the Gorman Family Foundation.
“Those were the biggest supporters of this project and without that support we wouldn’t be here today,” he said. “We wouldn’t be able to get all the work that we’ve been able to get done.
“We’re really appreciative of all their contributions to this project.”
The Shelby Health and Wellness Center, 31 E. Main St., has varying hours for medical and dental services.
Medical care is available Mondays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Services are also available Tuesdays through Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Dental care is available Mondays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
(Below are more photos of interior renovations at the Shelby Health and Wellness Center. Images courtesy of Alex Goff, development director at Third Street Family Health Services.)
