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County steps in to fund urgent repairs at Lincoln Community Health Center, seeks clarity from Duke on lease obligations
Summary
Durham County commissioners approved repair funding for HVAC, generator, elevators and parking at Lincoln Community Health Center and pressed for clarity from Duke and other parties about long‑term lease maintenance responsibilities and reimbursement for county expenditures.
County staff told the Board of Commissioners on Sept. 22 that capital project 25-0511 covers repair items — not new construction — at Lincoln Community Health Center and that the county is taking immediate steps to prevent service interruptions. Perry Manns, deputy director of county engineering, said the items include HVAC repairs, a new generator, parking lot resurfacing and replacement of two elevators.
"All of these items are repair items for Lincoln," Perry Manns said. He noted that the county owns the building and that the existing lease identifies Duke (formerly Duke Community Hospital Corporation) as responsible for building maintenance. "Quite honestly, they went back and forth with these repairs. These are repairs that are desperately needed," Manns said, adding that the county has managed multiple projects there and that federal grants have covered much of past improvements.
Commissioner Jacobs stressed the urgency, noting the age of the building and daily operational needs: "We have 800 prescriptions filled every day at Lincoln Community Health Center," she said, describing why extended downtime was not acceptable. Commissioners asked staff to compile past county expenditures on Lincoln repairs and to follow up with Duke leadership and legal counsel about clarifying maintenance responsibilities and potential reimbursement.
Manager Hager said senior leadership at Duke had committed to supporting Lincoln "at a different level" and that the county will return with more details as negotiations and legal review continue.
