Westport is moving closer to bringing in a healthcare provider to its recently-purchased city hall building after the retirement of the town’s sole physician last year left it without primary medical services.

In its final meeting of 2023, the Westport City Council unanimously authorized the mayor to enter sublease negotiations with Harbor Regional Health for an unoccupied suite at city hall on Montesano Street to be used for “medical services.”

Westport City Administrator Kevin Goodrich said city staff began discussions with Harbor Regional Health about bringing services to Westport since the summer of 2023. In a memo to the city council, Goodrich stated that if the agreement moves forward the hospital “may be able to begin providing services in the first quarter of 2024.”

When the city purchased its new city hall building at 801 N Montesano St. last year, city officials had medical services in mind, and the building had the bones for it, as Harbor Regional Health already operates its Rehab Visions clinic there.

The building was constructed in 2007 and Dr. Shelley Dueber ran a family practice out of the ground floor until her retirement last year.

Goodrich said the retirement prompted the city to facilitate replacement medical services.

“It’s a big deal for us,” he said.

The city’s administrative offices, utilities, building and code enforcement have been operating at the new city hall building since September 2023, while the Westport municipal court office is still located at 604 Montesano St. Goodrich said there is “plenty of room” in the roughly 30,000-square-foot building for the city and its tenants.

According to the proposed lease agreement drafted by the city’s attorney, Harbor Regional Health would lease a 600-square-foot suite for $600 per month starting Feb. 1, 2024.

Christopher Majors, a spokesperson for Harbor Regional Health, said last week in an email the hospital has not yet entered into the lease agreement, but “is actively engaged in constructive discussions with city officials about offering part-time primary care services. While details are still being finalized, we remain optimistic about establishing a mutually beneficial partnership with the city of Westport.”

“We deeply appreciate the city’s initiative in addressing this healthcare need. Our commitment to the South Beach community’s health and wellness extends beyond our current rehabilitation and physical therapy services,” Majors said.

Contact reporter Clayton Franke at 406-552-3917 or clayton.franke@thedailyworld.com.