(Austin) – Central Health is buying land in Southeast Travis County to build a new health and wellness center.
The 2.5 acres at 7050 Elroy Road, just east of the Texas State Highway 130/Texas State Highway 45 toll roads, will be the home of a new clinic operated by Central Health-affiliated CommUnityCare to serve the rapidly growing population in the Del Valle area in Eastern Travis County. Central Health will pay $801,000 for the land, with the final sale expected to occur within 30 days. Funding for the purchase is part of Central Health’s Fiscal Year 2020 budget.
The Central Health Board of Managers has prioritized several communities in Eastern Travis County for health care delivery expansion including Del Valle, Colony Park, and Hornsby Bend.
“The purchase of this property is part of our effort to expand services in Eastern Travis County,” Central Health President & CEO Mike Geeslin said. “Currently, we are offering health care to people with low income living in Eastern Travis County through temporary health care facilities. Our vision is to partner with health care providers to create permanent health and wellness centers that offer primary and specialty care, labs, pharmacy and wellness services.”
Service Expansion Planning
Central Health developed a process for the service delivery, design, development, and construction of health and wellness centers across Travis County. The process is based on analysis of the most current data and takes a systems-based planning approach, ensuring tax dollars are invested in areas with the most urgent health care needs. A systems-based planning approach supports equity by improving quality across the entire continuum of care and uses a health equity lens to increase access to care by building a comprehensive and coordinated health care system designed to care for people with low income. This approach also reflects timely access to care, evidence-based protocols, improved clinical outcomes, and sustainable and efficient use of taxpayer resources.
“The Central Health Board is honoring its commitment to bring health care to Eastern Travis County,” Central Health Board of Managers Secretary Cynthia Valadez said. “We’ve been working with the community for a few years now, and while temporary health care facilities have increased access to care for Del Valle residents, the need continues to grow.”
Central Health opened a temporary clinic to serve Southeast Travis County in 2017 at the Travis County Employee Wellness Center, 3518 FM 973, which will remain in operation until the new clinic is opened. That clinic is open three days a week, offering primary care visits, vaccinations, lab services, and a pharmacy for Del Valle residents. While planning continues, Central Health expects the new clinic will be larger with more services and expanded days of operation.
Prior to determining a date for start of construction or for the opening of the new clinic, Central Health will continue the planning process with residents. Learn more at www.centralhealth.net/easterntravco.
The Travis County Commissioners Court voted to approve the land purchase Tuesday, Aug. 25. The Central Health Board of Managers had previously voted to delegate the land purchase to the CEO at an April Board meeting.
