Centre County, Pa. (WJAC) — Questions remain about the future of a former nursing home in Centre County.
The county still owns the building, and now some people are weighing in on how the old facility should be used moving forward.
Tuesday, a father made a plea talking about his daughter's mental health struggles and run-ins with the law.
“But, she broke probation by having a relapse of a disease,” said Chris Potalivo. “Centre County's only option is jail. Name me any other disease where a relapse will put you in jail.”
Potalivo suggested that some rooms in the now vacant, former Centre Crest nursing home could be used for mental health services.
County administrators are awaiting a consultant’s report on the building and ideas for future use.
They're already hearing from the public.
“And I think because we had it so long as a health care facility, people are thinking of keeping that,” Centre County Commissioner Mike Pipe said. “So, the top three options, we’ve heard from veterans, and drug therapy, and mental health.”
Centre Crest is located in Bellefonte.
“Several years ago, borough council rezoned the property,” added commissioner Steve Dershem. “We’re going to have to work very closely with them outside of traditional ideas like an office building.”
In lobbying for expanding mental health facilities, Potalivo talked about the death of Osaze Osagie who was killed at his State College apartment as police attempted to serve him with a mental health warrant.
“Possibly, the Osagie tragedy could have been averted if the family had a safe and secure facility that he could have resided in with proper supervision,” Potalivo said.
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