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Groden wants new building for Greene County Mental Health Services

Jul 19, 2023 1:03 am

Nancy Kern reports for Columbia-Greene Media that Greene County Administrator Shaun Groden is floating the idea of constructing a new $12-$15 million building for the Greene County Mental Health Services clinic. The current building was built in 1883 in Cairo. Groden said, “It’s not falling over. It’s not decrepit. But when a patient in a wheelchair or using a cane comes for an appointment they need to go use the ramp around the back of the building.... Then, they need to stay on the first floor, because there is no way for them to get up the stairs.” The building's air conditioning is 50 window units and it is located in a 100-year flood plain. Greene County Legislator Harry Lennon said the county is also considering a new site for the building, and might move it to a parcel at Routes 23 and 32, which the county is touting as a new large development to bring businesses to the middle of the county. But, unfortunately, that site has wetlands. Groden said, “Do you keep putting your finger in the dyke to keep it operational? At some point you’ve just got to say, It’s time to move on." Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.