PARKERSBURG - Seeing a need for space and a more modern setting, Vision Care Associates is moving its office from its historic Avery Street building to Dudley Avenue.
"We just outgrew the building," said Dr. Scott Lauer.
Sometime next year Vision Care will operate at 2014 Dudley Ave., in the former Camden Clark Medical Center outpatient physical therapy building.
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Photo by Jeff Baughan
Vision Care Associates will occupy the former Camden Clark Medical Center outpatient physical therapy building on Dudley Avenue.
Scott Lauer and his wife Vicki have worked at the office since 1998. They purchased the business in 2005. Lauer said the building has served as an eye care office since 1951.
Lauer said over the years they have sought to modernize the building, which proved difficult.
"Being an old building, with the walls so thick it is hard modernize it. It's hard to make any changes, cosmetic changes or changes for technology."
Lauer said parking was also a problem as the office's lot was located in the rear of the building, forcing his patients to walk the sidewalk around more than half the building to get to the door. The building is also not handicapped accessible.
The Avery Street office has only 12 spots for patients.
"There is nowhere to go," he said of the parking. "It gets full quick."
The new office building has 40 spots.
Lauer plans to make a number of changes to the new building - carpet, walkways, signage -but he plans to be ready to move in within six months.
Lauer said they reviewed other sites downtown, but eventually settled on the former CCMC building, which has been vacant for a few years.
"Our first goal was to stay downtown," he said. Lauer said they looked at a few buildings, including one on Market Street.
"It was a bigger job than what we wanted to get into. The one on Dudley is in great shape," he said.
Lauer said the new building has a gym in it, which is perfect for an open floor plan for the new office.
"It will be much nicer for patients and for us."
Lauer said the move should be relatively seamless.
Patients will receive mailers, and Vision Care will put out notices when the transition to Dudley Avenue is complete.
"We will have an open house when we are ready."
Lauer said they hope to sell the Avery Street office - a historic building built in 1843 and used as a hospital during the Civil War.
"It is still in good shape," he said. "But it would be better for an attorney's office; someone who needs to be downtown."
