Richard E. Jacobs Health Center Hosts Open House

Avon got a sneak peek at the new Richard E. Jacobs Health Center over the weekend as the Cleveland Clinic hosted an open house.

After two years of planning, medical director was thrilled to be another step closer to opening.

"To see this place full of life, it's an amazing feeling," he said.

There was food and gifts being given out all over as guests toured the offices, waiting areas, exam rooms and other parts of the building. Visitors got to see the physical therapy area on the ground floor, which looks out to the south towards Interstate 90, with its aquatic therapy pools. An emergency helicopter and ambulance were in the back parking lot for visitors to see.

The open house was a popular attraction, as traffic streamed down Chester Road to Nagel Road and Just Imagine Drive most of Saturday afternoon, keeping the parking lot full.

While this milestone was nice for Dr. Knapp, it's the start of a very busy week. He will oversee the last week at the Westlake building, which has its final day of operation on Friday. Staff will move into the Richard E. Jacobs Health Center over the weekend, and it will open for business on Dec. 12.

Several of the people touring the building were patients at the Westlake building who will now be coming to Avon to see their doctors.

They were finding where their doctor's offices will be and where their treatment will be done. They got to see where to check in, and the comfortable, light-filled waiting rooms with large flat-screen televisions. They got to see the more private check-out areas where they can discuss billing and insurance without being in a public area.

"I'm very impressed," said Clancy Strader, one of those patients. "The design is outstanding. Things are easy to find. And everyone was so nice and helpful."

The emergency room will not be open until either late 2012 or early 2013, after the Nagel Road interchange at Interstate 90 is finished and open.