No Bids for Former East Ohio Regional Hospital Property
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MARTINS FERRY -- The former East Ohio Regional Hospital property went to auction Wednesday.
Belmont County Treasurer Katherine Kelich said the property was scheduled for auction, but nobody appeared to bid.
The property had a starting bid of just over $2.6 million.
Kelich said that due to the lack of bids Wednesday, another auction is scheduled for Sept. 16 at 10 a.m.
She added that if there are no bids Sept. 16, the property will be forfeited to the state of Ohio. It will then go to an auditor's sale at an undetermined date.
The hospital originally closed its doors in 2019 after being purchased by Alecto Healthcare Services, a California-based company that also bought and closed Ohio Valley Medical Center in Wheeling.
Dr. John Johnson then purchased the hospital in 2020 and reopened it in 2021, but the resurrection was short-lived.
Significant financial issues again reared their heads as the hospital closed several departments and employees started missing multiple paychecks. The hospital closed in March 2025 after dozens of employees filed police reports with the Martins Ferry Police Department, claiming both unpaid insurance claims and unpaid wages.
The hospital has approximately $2.1 million in back taxes that have accrued over the last few years.
Kelich said the roughly $2.6 million starting bid covers all back taxes, assessments and fees associated with the sale.
In addition to the exorbitant amount of back taxes owed, the vacant complex has become a frequent target for thefts and break-ins since closing.
Martins Ferry Police Chief Vince West previously told City Council that three arrests were made at the property in July.
Police have made multiple arrests at the site involving alleged copper theft, trespassing and vandalism. Authorities have said suspects have repeatedly entered the sprawling building to strip wiring and other materials, while officers also have found evidence that people had been staying inside the vacant hospital.