MOUNT VERNON — After sitting vacant for three years, part of the Mount Vernon Academy campus will see new life as a detox and residential substance abuse treatment facility. Florida-based Niznik Behavioral Health bought the boys dormitory and administration building last month.
“We are still six months out from being operational,” said Attorney Jared Hirsch, who heads business development for Niznik. “We are doing some minor cosmetic renovations. We’re not touching the exterior; we are keeping that gorgeous red brick. The buildings are incredible. They’re in great shape.”
Hirsch expects it to take a while before the 100-bed facility reaches full capacity.
“It’s a slow process,” he said. “We are not interested in rushing into things. We provide a really high-quality level of care, and training and staffing are important to us. So we’re going to move slow and make sure of the best interests of all of our clients.”
When fully operational, Hirsch anticipates that the facility will employ around 200 people.
“That’s probably what we’re most excited about,” he said. “In addition to that, the direct impact on the community to stimulate the economy buying food, gas, utilities, outings, and all of that. It’s really exciting for the county.”
Niznik Behavioral Health operates three facilities in California, three in Florida, and one in Texas. A facility in New Jersey is on the way.
Hirsch said that Mount Vernon’s central location, within 90 minutes of Columbus, Cleveland, and Akron, played a role in Niznik choosing to locate in Knox County. Additionally, Niznik’s marketing department will source clients from different states.
“At the same time, we’ve never opened a facility in Ohio, and a lot of it is going to be new to us. And I know there’s a huge opioid crisis in Ohio particularly,” he said.
Noting the geographic proximity is “really special and unique,” Hirsch acknowledges the central location and the need for Niznik’s services is only part of the city’s attraction.
“We visited a lot of properties, but I personally fell in love with the city, the small-town feel, the red bricks and the buildings, and the people,” he said. “I spent a lot of time with Kim Rose [of Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston] and he took me around the city. I saw the parks, the individuals, and that was really exciting.
“The whole community was really receptive,” he continued. “It was really a bit more than just a business decision. It kind of played on my emotions a bit, so I am super excited.”
The facility will serve private-pay clients only; Niznik does not accept Medicare, Medicaid, or involuntary commits. Clients can self-refer or be referred by detox or outpatient centers.
“Everybody who comes to us, they are pretty serious about treatment,” he said. “Because we are new to Ohio, I don’t have those [organizational referrals] set yet. I do have some outreach coordinators in the area already.
“ Personally and on behalf of the company, I know that we are really excited to get involved with KSAAT [Knox Substance Abuse Action Team] and the community. To me, it’s such an incredible property and a shame it had been vacant for so long. I think we are going to do some really good things. And especially for jobs. I think it’s going to be a really good opportunity for us and the city.”
Mount Vernon Academy opened its doors in 1893 as a private Christian boarding school operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The administration building was built in 1924; Hadley Hall, the boys dormitory, was built in 1940. The academy closed in 2015 and the buildings sold at auction in 2016.
