Bizzarro announces $1M in funding for Julia House
Grant will fund creation of first inpatient hospice facility in Erie
Rep. Ryan Bizzarro November 18, 2022 | 5:30 PM
ERIE, Nov. 18 – In an effort to improve health care options for people living with serious illnesses throughout the region, state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro announced the state has approved $1 million in funding for Julia House.
“Julia Hospice and Palliative Care reached out to my office to highlight Erie County’s need for an inpatient hospice care facility,” Bizzarro said. “They noted the transformation taking place in health care in recent years to provide quality services earlier in the process of treating serious illnesses. I was understandably moved by their vision – as anyone would be, especially those who have needed to secure hospice care for a loved one – and I’m thrilled with today’s news that will allow this project to move forward.”
Julia House & Palliative Care is a nonprofit organization with plans on breaking ground and opening Julia House in the near future. They have a two-phase construction plan, which includes building a one-floor structure featuring patient suites, family rooms (chapel, lounge, laundry, shower facilities), nurse workstations, exam rooms, administrative offices, covered entrance and covered vehicle port. The second phase of the construction project will entail the addition of more patient suites, child care and therapist spaces, and more administrative offices. The schematic design and artist rendering of the project (displayed, above right) can be found here.
Funding for these projects was supported through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program.
Today’s $1-million investment in Erie is added to the $8-million investment (for an International Recycling Group facility and the continued redevelopment of the former Erie Malleable Iron plant) as well as the $6-million investment approved in October (for the Gateway District improvements and Erie Zoo).
Overall, Bizzarro has brought back close to $40 million to Erie County in 2022 alone.