Since its merger with Comtrea on July 1, Compass has added 131 staff members, signed four leases and made plans to renovate two buildings and construct a new building in Jefferson County, said Sue Curfman, Compass’ regional senior vice president of corporate services.
“That is an amazing delivery six months post-merger,” said Curfman, who was Comtrea’s CEO before the merger.
She said the main reason for the merger was to better provide for Jefferson County residents, and Compass is working to bring resources to the county that were not previously available.
Curfman said Compass just signed a lease for two units at 148 and 156 Richardson Crossing off Richardson Road in Arnold where Washington University had pediatrics offices. The two units combined will offer 9,000 square feet of space.
One unit will house family practice physicians, and the other will offer psychiatry and behavioral health, she said.
“It’s basically move-in ready,” Curfman said.
Before it opens, Compass will need to get licensing in place and staff hired, so no opening date has been determined, Curfman said, adding that she’d like to see the offices open in the first quarter of 2024.
On Nov. 1, Compass signed a lease for its High Ridge West facility at 5684 Hwy. PP. The Jefferson County Library owns the 6,700-square-foot space, which the Jefferson County Health Department had occupied from August 2018 through March 2023.
This facility will predominantly provide behavioral health services and assess and treat people with substance use disorders, she said.
Curfman said that facility also is move-in ready, but Compass must get its licensing and certification, hire staff and get the building outfitted with technology and furniture before moving.
She anticipates the office will open during the first quarter of 2024.
Curfman also provided updates on other projects that have been in the works for about four months.
She said the psychosocial rehabilitation has moved from 222 N. Mill St. to 109 N. Mill St. in Festus, and Raineri Construction was awarded a contract this month to begin remodeling 221 N. Mill St. for the Behavioral Health Crisis Center. The building will need major renovations, including modifications to the floor plan to fit the needs of the crisis center, which will be open all day every day.
Curfman anticipates the project will be completed in early March.
She said Compass also is renovating the 70,000-square-foot building it purchased at 1275 Truman Blvd. in Festus that used to house a Shop ’n Save store for a comprehensive primary care, dental and behavioral health services facility, which should be opened next fall.
Other projects also should wrap up then.
Curfman said all the permits have been filed and approved to start renovations on the facility in the former Family Video store at 1845 Jeffco Blvd. in Arnold where state-of-the-art dental services will be provided.
In High Ridge, a building will be added to Compass’ property at 1817 Gravois Road and will house a primary care, behavioral health and dental services facility. The existing building on the property offers services for people with behavioral health and substance use disorders.
Curfman said Compass also has added more units to its location at 321 Main St. in Hillsboro.
“This will be for an open access location and expanded space to serve clients in this area and those referred by the courts,” she said. “There will be renovation in this location to make it fully functional.”