North Central Health District

Macon-Bibb County Health Department completing move to new building Wednesday, May 19

Posted May 17, 2021 by Michael Hokanson

Macon-Bibb County Health Department and North Central Health District are excited to announce the opening of the new health department building at 1600 Forsyth St. in Macon.

After suspending certain services in order to move into the new facility, health department staff will be ready to serve the community at the new location starting Wednesday, May 19.

“The entire staff is happy to begin working out of the newly renovated building,” said Dr. Jimmie Smith, Macon-Bibb County Health Department Administrator. “The process has had its twists and turns, but we’re happy to get started in our new home. We want to welcome everyone in our area to see us in our new health department for all their health needs.”

The new facility, purchased by the Macon-Bibb Urban Development Authority, has received a variety of updates since the acquisition. The three-building campus features improved exam rooms, centralized intake and treatment areas to ensure clients’ visits are effective.

“This location has been designed from the bottom up to be a modern, efficient medical facility,” said Dr. Smith. “We wanted to have a space where clients feel safe, and a place where they know they are receiving the best public health services we can provide.”

The three buildings will each provide specific functions for clients and staff. The main building hosts the health department’s clinical operations, the WIC program, dental services, administration and the conference area. The second building will house the vital records office, environmental health services and provide a private setting for the health department’s Teen Health Center. The third building will serve as a storage space for the health department.

“We’re grateful for all the support we’ve received throughout this massive project,” stated Dr. Smith. “This would not have been possible without our county board of health, the county commissioners and the Urban Development Authority.”

This project is funded by both revenue generated by the health department through services along with Special-Purpose Local-Only Sales Tax (SPLOST) funds. SPLOST financing for this project was passed by the Macon-Bibb consolidated government at the July 2017 Macon-Bibb County regular commission meeting, with the effective funding period spanning July 1, 2018, through June 30, 2028.

While regular public health services will begin operating in the 1600 Forsyth St. building May 19, COVID-19 vaccination will continue at the site located at 171 Emery Hwy. until further notice.

For more information about the COVID-19 vaccine, including safety information, vaccination consent form, EUA documents, post-vaccination reporting and more, visit NCHD52.org/covidvaccine. For additional Georgia COVID-19 vaccine information, visit dph.georgia.gov/covid-vaccine.