LIBERTY TWP., Ohio (WKBN) – Mercy Health made a big announcement on Wednesday — they will be opening two new hospitals in the Youngstown area.

One hospital will specialize in behavioral health and the other will be for rehabilitation after stroke, traumatic brain injuries and the like.

The location of the old Kmart on Belmont Avenue in Liberty Township will be a 60-bed acute inpatient rehabilitation hospital. The sale of the building for $1.15 million was finalized on Wednesday.

The purchase is part of a previously-announced venture partnership by Mercy Health and Youngstown and Kindred Rehabilitation Services (KRS), a business unit of Lifepoint Health.

The hospital will be a long-term care facility. They’ll treat stroke, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, complex neurological disorders and other similar injuries and disorders. Currently, Mercy Health has 26 beds for these patients.

“I personally receive calls from patients saying, ‘Are you sure I can’t get into your rehab unit?’ Because they have a very great reputation of their rehab, skills and abilities in this area. It breaks my heart when I tell somebody, ‘I’m sorry, but we’re full,'” said Kathleen Harley, president of St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.

The second hospital specializing in behavioral health will treat people who suffer from depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, substance-use disorder and other mental health illnesses. The location of that hospital has not been decided yet. Currently, Mercy Health has 42 beds for this type of care. The new facility will have 72.

“As we know, we are challenged in this area. We have a lot of behavioral health needs,” Harley said.

Harley says current staff members have been invited to transfer to the new facilities once they open.

Mercy Health will be partnering with Lifepoint Health on the hospitals.

“Their two specialties are acute rehab and behavioral health services. They are known to be very good at what they do,” Harley said.

A representative with Lifepoint Health said these facilities will be state of the art with advanced treatment technologies like augmented reality and robotics.

Groundbreaking for the Mercy Health Rehabilitation Hospital is set for late spring this year with expected completion by summer 2024.

Construction of the Mercy Health Behavioral Hospital is expected to start in summer 2023 with completion near the end of 2024.

Nadine Grimley contributed to this report.