Harsha Recovery Center plans Merrillville location
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The operator of drug and alcohol rehabilitation clinics statewide plans to build a 90-bed residential treatment facility in Merrillville. The town said earlier this month that Harsha Recovery Center has received town council approval to open a behavioral health treatment facility.
The mental health care provider still must close on the purchase of the property at 8253 Virginia St., which is at the southwest corner of the U.S. 30 interchange of Interstate 65. The Virginia Place assisted living facility operates at the location now.
The town said Virginia Place, which is owned and operated by Fort Wayne-based OPS Living, will close when the sale is complete. Staff will be transferred to other OPS Living facilities and affected residents will be referred to other assisted living communities in northwest Indiana.
“Once the deal is finalized, the OPS Living team will work diligently with the State of Indiana in accordance with established regulations that govern the closing of an assisted living facility,” OPS said in written remarks. “OPS Living plans to host informational meetings for both residents, family of residents, and our staff once we know the sale will be finalized. During these meetings, we will provide the timing of the closing and will have several alternative assisted living options available to residents. We will also provide opportunities for staff to join either the HRC or other assisted living communities.”
A purchase agreement was reached July 25.
Harsha Recovery Center plans to invest millions of dollars to renovate and convert the property into a state-licensed residential treatment facility that will provide 24-hour care for mental health and addiction. The health provider is now looking to hire an executive director.
Merrillville asked for a review of the Harsha Recovery Center after a year. The health provider said it will provide the Town Council and neighboring businesses with quarterly updates.
“They stepped up and wanted to have the reviews done more frequently,” Town Councilman Shawn Pettit said. “They came out and talked to their neighbors, and they were satisfied with their response.”
Harsha Recovery Center operates health care facilities across Indiana.