Porter-Starke Services, Inc. is moving forward with its plans to build a new behavioral health facility in Portage, marking the mental health agency’s largest building expansion in more than 20 years.

The new $1.5 million facility will be built near the intersection of Lancer and Robbins roads, east of Willowcreek Road and near the Fountain View nursing home. Porter-Starke plans to have the facility open by summer of 2010.

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held Oct. 13.

Porter-Starke last year planned to build a new Portage facility, but those plans were put on hold when the turmoil in the banking industry negatively impacted the project’s financing arrangements. Porter-Starke has maintained an office in Portage.

Since then, Porter-Starke has partnered with Chester Inc. Architectural/Construction Services.

“This is a very exciting time for Porter-Starke Services,” said Rocco Schiralli, President/CEO. “We feel strongly about the relationships we have with the communities we serve, and feel it is vital that we have the best facilities and best staff, and this new building will help us provide that for Portage and the surrounding areas.”

The new facility nearly doubles Porter-Starke Services’ current space on Willowcreek Road while also allowing for future expansion. “As one of the fastest growing communities in the region, Portage is recognized for its economic development, diversity and quality of life,” Schiralli said. “But with population growth comes an increased need for more services and better access.”

Porter-Starke Vice President of Development and Marketing Bob Franko said the new Portage facility will offer just about all the same outpatient services that Porter-Starke currently offers in Valparaiso, such as case management and chemical dependency counseling. The new Portage facility will not, however, include a methadone clinic or an inpatient facility.

Franko said the Portage facility is moving forward in part because the markets have stabilized. But what really pushed the project forward, he said, was Porter Starke’s partnership with Chester Inc. Architectural/Construction Services, which is building the new facility through a lease-purchase arrangement.

Porter-Starke Services Board Chair Randall Zromkoski said the agency has done well in anticipating need for its services while acting responsibly with its resources. “We’re pleased that we’re now in a position to expand in Portage and move ahead with the well-thought plans that have led us to this point,” he said.

“Our first priority is to invest back into client services and communities,” Schiralli said. “However, there comes a time when we have to take care of our facility needs and assure that our clients have the most accessible, safe and therapeutic environment.”

Posted 9/23/2009