By the start of 2003, the Community Counseling Center is expected to have an additional new home at an old property in Sharon.

Community Counseling, based in Hermitage, has owned the lot at 133 S. Irvine Ave. since 1987. It recently demolished a building on the site because the structure was in such disrepair that refurbishing would not have been financially reasonable, said Angelo Stamoolis, the agency's executive director.

This week, workers began assembling a 7,000 square foot modular building on the property. The building, which came in 10 parts, is being assembled much like one assembles toy Legos, Stamoolis said.

The new building is being paid for through state money and money from the Mercer County Behavioral Health Commission. Community Counseling will incur a mortgage, Stamoolis said.

The top floor of the two-story building will contain four apartment-like units for people who are moving from mental health care into the community, Stamoolis said. The apartments will be small but comfortable, and there will be supervision and assistance to help the residents learn to become more independent, he added.

There also will be space available for rent by the Salvation Army and the Mercer County Housing Coalition in case the agencies need emergency housing, Stamoolis said.

The first floor will house a day program with psychological rehabilitation services and a peer support center that will be relocated from its current State Street location, he said.

Stamoolis said the building may be ready by mid-December, but by the time all the equipment and furniture are moved in, the building will be functional Jan. 1.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writer Kristen Garrett at kgarrett@sharonherald.com