There’s been earth-moving, construction and even the completion or near completion of more than one building at the Market Place at Bridgeport along Jerry Dove Drive for well over a year now. There’s also been the announcement of several new businesses that plan on locating there by the developer.

 

What there hasn’t been is an official building permit for the first business to operate at the site just to the left of the main entrance of White Oaks on the property that stretches from that point all the way to the FBI property. That all changed on Feb. 8.

 

Bridgeport Community Development Director Randy Spellman said on that date a building permit was pulled for the three-story office complex closest to the State Route 279 and closest to White Oaks. The permit was acquired by United Summit Center.

 

According to Spellman, the permit is calling for a build out of the entire third floor space of $248,140. Accelerated Construction, which is a subsidiary of the developers of the plaza Metro Property Management, will handle the build out. Omni Associates of Fairmont, said Spellman, is the architect.

 

“This is the first official permit other than for the shell of the building itself. This is definitely the first business-related permit for the development and there will likely be more to come,” said Spellman.

 

So what’s in store?

 

The third floor will be divided into two areas to assist women and children in need in the area. According to Robert Williams, Ph.D., director of Behavioral Health Services at United Hospital Center and Executive Director of United Summit Center, the areas will address issues relating to addicted pregnant women and children facing crisis.

 

One side will be the Residential Children’s Crisis Stabilization Unit, basically a residential overnight facility for children. The other side will be for addressing pregnant addicted women’s programs. Both will be named in honor of one local individual for their volunteer efforts on the Summit Center Board of Directors and medical background.

 

The funding to cover the cost comes through a federal grant program, said Williams that was applied for and won by the UHC/Summit Center team. The grant, he said, emphasizes treatment of women for IV heroin, but not exclusively for that program.

 

“This is for the treatment of babies addicted and their mothers and in this setting it will be the best way to treat both,” said Williams. “We will have 16 beds on the side of the floor for women and babies.”

 

Williams described the program as “long-term.” He also said it will be “intense” in nature to provide the best outcome for mother and babies involved.

 

“Most that will be coming in will be addicted to opioids,” said Williams.

 

On the other side, where the children’s unit is located, Williams said there will be 14 beds. It’s actually not the first under the United Summit Center’s banner in Bridgeport.

 

“We have one in the Mountaineer Medical Building, but it’s a day program,” said Williams.

 

The new facility will work with the existing one as it develops. Williams said the children’s unit at the new building will be more geared toward 10-day stays.

 

So want constitutes a crisis for admission? Williams said it can be family situations that result in anger, depression and anxiety, family conflict, suicide, early symptoms of mental illness and even symptoms of addiction.

 

“The kids unit can provide detox, but those protocols are generally for teens if needed,” said Williams.

 

The timeline to complete the buildout is relatively a short one. Williams said the estimated time line for completion is May 1.

 

“We’re proud of these two programs and our lucky to be able to have them for the region,” Williams said.