Sullivan County to reimburse Bristol for Midway Medical Park purchase to reopen health department clinic

The Sullivan County Commission voted to authorize a partnership with the City of Bristol to purchase Midway Medical Park and establish a Sullivan County Regional Health Department clinic there, approving the resolution by roll call on first reading and final passage.

The agreement the commission approved authorizes the city to close on the building for $589,000, with the city paying the full purchase price at closing and Sullivan County reimbursing Bristol $400,000 in four equal installments of $100,000 on Jan. 1 of 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029. The county will also pay 70% of closing costs and is slated to occupy a lease‑purchase interest of 6,141 square feet (4,386 square feet on the lower floor and about 1,754 square feet on the upper floor). The city will retain roughly 2,631 square feet of the upper floor for city employee services.

The resolution sets procedures for a condominium plat to be prepared after the county completes reimbursement and directs the county and city attorneys to negotiate both a lease‑purchase agreement and a maintenance agreement. Under the maintenance terms described in the resolution, the city will maintain 100% of the outside grounds and the upper‑level parking; major building repairs will be split 70% by Sullivan County and 30% by Bristol; and repairs that affect only one owner’s portion will be paid 100% by that owner.

Why it matters: county and city officials said the site will restore clinic capacity in Bristol that county leaders described as missing for decades. Commissioner Harvey told the commission, “it’s been 35 years since Bristol has had a building to service their citizens,” arguing the project will bring health services back to the city. Commissioner Crosswhite, who toured the space, said, “it is already set up for a clinic. It’s amazing.”

Discussion on the floor included administration and legal coordination. County Attorney Street indicated he could negotiate but asked for clear direction from the county’s client (the mayor or health department) on final choices: “I don’t mind to do the work, but I need somebody to tell me what goes into. I don’t make the decisions.” Commissioners agreed language would be added directing the county attorney to act with direction from the mayor when negotiating the final documents.

The commission adopted the resolution in a recorded vote. Next steps spelled out in the measure include formal negotiation of the lease‑purchase and maintenance agreements by the two cities’ attorneys, execution of payments per the installment schedule, and preparation of a condominium plat and new titles after the county completes reimbursement.