FALL RIVER, MA-HealthFirst is taking a 78,000-square-footindustrial space and converting it to a community health center.The transformation at 387 Quarry St. will cost roughly $13 million,appraised at that cost in May 2010. The 3.64-acre lot is zonedBL-Local Business and is anticipated to deliver by December2011.

HealthFirst is receiving an $11.5-million grant from theFacility Investment Program in response to a Health Resources andServices Administration competitive American Recovery andReinvestment Act of 2009 grant opportunity. This was part of theHealth Center Program.

"They had this vision and they were aware of the grant moneythat was available, and they pursued this funding," explained MaryAnn Williams, project executive with Skanska USA Building. Skanskawas named by HealthFirst to renovate the property. An interiorrenovation will coincide with a modernizing of the exterior of thestructure. According to HealthFirst, it was a textile plant, aswell as a Bradlee's. The property has been vacant for at least thelast five years.