EDWARDSVILLE/WOOD RIVER — The Madison County Board approved the purchase of five downtown Wood River properties to house county departments currently operating at the former Wood River Township Hospital campus.
Board members took the action on Wednesday during their monthly meeting.
Madison County Board Chairman Chris Slusser said the acquisition marks an important milestone in the county’s long-term facilities plan.
“These acquisitions provide a path forward for county departments while allowing us to make responsible investments on behalf of taxpayers,” Slusser said. “The properties will require renovation before departments can relocate, but this action positions us well for the years ahead.”
The acquisitions total $763,478.11 and include parcels at 18 W. Ferguson St. and 33 W. Madison Ave. ($306,978.11), 34 W. Ferguson St. ($106,500), and 203 and 176 S. Sixth St. ($350,000).
Departments currently located at the former hospital campus include Employment & Training, the Emergency Telephone System Board (911 ETSB), Emergency Management Agency administration, the Madison County Health Department, the Child Advocacy Center and the County Morgue.
Slusser said county officials explored multiple locations before identifying the downtown Wood River properties.
“We wanted to find the most convenient location for the residents we serve while also considering where county government could make the greatest economic impact,” Slusser said.
Many of the departments located at the former hospital campus serve lower-income residents, and county officials estimate approximately 80 percent of those clients live in communities below the bluffs. Slusser said downtown Wood River’s central location, along with its proximity to major transportation routes and the Madison County Transit bus station, provides convenient access to services.
The former Wood River Township Hospital closed in 2000. Madison County purchased the facility and converted it for county operations. County officials said the approximately 220,000-square-foot building will require significant maintenance and infrastructure improvements, with estimates exceeding $19 million over the next several years.
In addition, it would take another $15 to $20 million to make any upgrades to the facility.
“The $19 million is just to maintain the property as it is now,” Slusser said.
County officials estimate less than one-third of the building is currently utilized for office space. In addition to projected maintenance and infrastructure costs, Slusser said renovation expenses could add millions more to the investment required to continue operating from the facility.
“We have a responsibility to make decisions that provide the best value for taxpayers,” Slusser said. “This approach allows us to avoid substantial costs associated with maintaining a facility that is much larger than what the county currently utilizes.”
Slusser said the county expects to close on the properties by September. Following the closing, Madison County plans to issue requests for qualifications (RFQs) to identify architectural firms that can assist with planning and renovation efforts.
“Departments will not relocate immediately,” Slusser said. “We still need to complete the design process, select contractors, and renovate the buildings. It will likely be more than a year before employees begin moving into their new spaces, and that timeline will depend on the architectural plans and construction schedule.”
Slusser said preserving the architectural integrity of the buildings and the surrounding downtown district will remain a priority throughout the project.
“We want to respect the architectural character of these properties while creating functional spaces that meet the demands of county government,” Slusser said.
Once an architectural firm is selected, the county will begin developing renovation plans before seeking construction bids.
“Keeping county operations in Wood River supports the local economy and allows us to remain a strong community partner,” Slusser said. “The focus right now is relocating departments into facilities that better meet their needs. Discussions regarding the future of the former hospital property will take place later.”
