Martins Ferry facility will reopen
MARTINS FERRY — The former East Ohio Regional Hospital property in Martins Ferry has been sold and will reopen later this year, according to Mayor John Davies and a statement released Sunday.
The property has been purchased by the entity East Ohio Hospital LLC from its owner, “a large real estate investment fund,” said Morgantown attorney Michael S. Garrison of the law firm Spilman, Thomas and Battle.
Garrison previously represented Alecto Healthcare Services, the former, California-based operator of EORH and Ohio Valley Medical Center in Wheeling. The release from Garrison does not give any indication as to who the individuals associated with East Ohio Hospital LLC might be.
“East Ohio Hospital, LLC, whose operator has successfully owned and operated a 110-bed facility outside Dayton, Ohio for nearly a decade, is working with state and local government to reopen the hospital campus in Martins Ferry, Ohio, later this year,” Garrison states. “The Ohio-based operator is committed to returning localized and personal medical care to the residents of Belmont County and the surrounding communities.
“Additional announcements will be made over the next several weeks with exciting details regarding the return of quality community-based healthcare to the citizens of Belmont County and the Ohio Valley region.”
EORH was a 140-bed facility when in operation.
Garrison did not immediately return phone messages left Sunday night.
Martins Ferry Mayor John Davies confirmed the purchase Sunday night, but referred all comments pertaining to details to Garrison.
He did confirm the property would be used again as a healthcare facility.
“This is excellent news for the city and the whole valley,” he said. “We’re excited to get them in here, and get the hospital back up and running and to move the valley forward.
“The city played more of a support role in facilitating the purchase. Whatever we could do to make it happen we did. It’s a great thing for the city.”
He also posted comments on his Facebook page Sunday night.
“To all the naysayers! I told you so!” he said in the first post.
A second post also touched on the sale of the hospital property.
“I am blessed to have a great administrative team, (and) we work great together,” Davies said. “A big thanks to (city service director) Andy Sutak and (water superintendent) Bill Suto for all your hard work!”
The EORH property has been closed since Sept. 27, with OVMC shutting its doors earlier that month.
The news Sunday comes just as Wheeling City Council plans to have a second and final vote Tuesday night on whether to purchase the former OVMC property.