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Agape/Metropolitan Community Health Services gives construction timeline for Aurora clinic; mobile unit continues weekly service
Summary
Health provider Metropolitan Community Health Services told commissioners it has chosen ARCHESSON Construction, received final plans and expects renovation work to begin late November with a 6–8 month construction timeline. The presenter said the clinic plans primary care, pediatrics, behavioral health and a pharmacy; mobile services will continue
Metropolitan Community Health Services (Agape) updated the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners on progress renovating the Aurora Agape Health Center and outlined a tentative timeline for construction and service start. Chief executive Michael McDuffie said Agape selected AR Chesson Construction after a January review of two bids and that architect Wesley Coble and Mullen Engineering completed preliminary construction drawings. McDuffie said the architect was instructed to provide final sealed drawings; once sealed, the contractor will submit plans to county inspections, advertise for subcontractor bids (estimated 8–9 weeks) and begin construction, which Agape anticipates will start in late November and take about 6–8 months. Asked about timing for patient services, McDuffie said Agape expects to be ready to provide services within roughly 30 days of construction completion because medical equipment, including an x‑ray unit and a generator, have already been procured. In the meantime Agape operates a mobile unit in Aurora one day a week (Thursdays) and plans to maintain that service at the fossil museum site until permanent restrooms and other facilities on the site are available. Planned services and capacity: McDuffie said the clinic will provide primary care, pediatric services (with a pediatrician on staff), behavioral health and an on‑site pharmacy. Agape expects to support dental care via a separate mobile dental unit for Aurora once a grant‑funded mobile unit is constructed. He said ADA accessibility work reduces some interior space compared with original 1970s building footprints but that a pharmacy remains included in plans. Why it matters: Commissioners and residents have argued for restored local clinic capacity in Aurora. The report gives a projected on‑site service start in 2026 if the construction timeline proceeds as outlined. Ending: Agape said it will continue mobile services and post signage on the site; staff and the architect will return with permitting updates as the construction schedule advances.
