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HealthFirst Board Clears The Way For Southland Clinic

Following years of financial wrangling, HealthFirst Bluegrass says it has removed the final roadblock to construction of its  Southland Drive clinic.

HealthFirst executive director Dr. Steve Davis says a neighborhood meeting will take place by the end of next month and construction on the $11.7 million dollar project will start.

The effort stalled back in January 2013 when questions were raised about the original land deal, conflicts of interest, and the financial viability of HealthFirst – putting a $11.7 million federal grant in jeopardy. Then executive-director William North resigned, along with four members of the HealthFirst board, last September.

The approved contract will permit HealthFirst to buy the proposed property instead of leasing it. That will drive the cost of the original deal down by more than $700,000. Payments will be close to $15,000 a month.

HealthFirst is a nonprofit that serves an estimated 15,000 mostly low-income patients a year.

Josh James fell in love with college radio at Western Kentucky University's student station, New Rock 92 (now Revolution 91.7). After working as a DJ and program director, he knew he wanted to come home to Lexington and try his hand in public radio.
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