A former corner bar on West Mound Street could soon trade neon beer signs for exam rooms, as Equitas Health moves forward with plans for a new clinic in the Hilltop.
The Columbus based nonprofit has submitted plans to the City of Columbus for a two story medical office and healthcare center at 1662 W. Mound St. The project would replace the existing one story building that housed Spotlight 2 Lounge with roughly 11,000 square feet of clinical space offering primary care, same day HIV and STI testing, mental health recovery services, a pharmacy and harm reduction programs.
What Equitas Is Proposing
According to Columbus Underground, the submission packet describes the Mound Street project as a comprehensive health office that would provide primary care, chronic disease management, same day HIV and STI testing, mental health recovery services, an on site pharmacy, and harm reduction programming. The article also notes the submission included renderings credited to ArchAll Architects, showing a two story design with a brick base and a street facing entry.
Site and Ownership History
Public records data show the three parcels were acquired in October 2025 by an LLC now listed as the current owner. The purchase closed for roughly $500,000, per records compiled by Homes.com. An earlier auction listing by Ohio Real Estate Auctions shows the existing building is about 2,988 square feet on a 0.42-acre lot and cites Franklin County parcel IDs 010-0696302, 010-0696303, and 010-0696304.
Why It Matters For The Hilltop And West Side
Equitas, which is headquartered in Columbus and operates community health centers in the Short North and on East Long Street, already provides many of the services the Mound Street proposal would offer. Equitas Health lists services including HIV and STI testing, PrEP, mental health counseling, recovery supports, and syringe exchange programs on its website, so a new clinic on the West Side could put those offerings much closer to Hilltop residents who currently travel across town for care.
Next Steps And Timeline
The proposal now heads into the city's plan review and permitting process. City of Columbus Building and Zoning Services notes reviewers typically issue a plan approval letter or a corrections request within about 20 business days after review begins. Columbus Underground also reported Equitas did not respond to a request for more information, so demolition and permitting could still be months away depending on required revisions and approvals.
Neighbors and city officials will have opportunities to weigh in as the application moves through review, and the proposed clinic would be one of several ongoing efforts aimed at expanding services on Columbus' West Side. We will monitor permits and filings as the proposal advances.
