CAMDEN, NJ–Politicians and public health officials celebrated the groundbreaking ceremony for a new community health center here that is being built on the site of a much smaller leased facility - while keeping it open - as a result of a creative public-private real estate deal. (See previous story).

The center, which will serve disadvantaged residents and homeless people, is to be built around the existing facility –while keeping it open.

U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez, Camden Mayor Dana Redd and State Sen. Donald Norcross joined Project H.O.P.E. executive Patricia DeShields and Kathy Grant-Davis of the New Jersey Primary Care Association to recognize the formal beginning of work on Project H.O.P.E.'s new 10,000-square-foot, $4.7-million community health center.

The new facility will rise at West Street and Clinton, a redevelopment zone a few blocks from Cooper University Hospital. The existing 3,000-square-foot facility on the site, which is leased from the city of Camden, will be demolished after the new building is complete.

“Project H.O.P.E. is a community health center that has provided health care services to the population of Camden since 1993,” said Marisa Manley, president of HealthCare Real Estate Advisors, owner's rep and project manager for the new facility. “Based on a public-private partnership, the plan is to maximize every inch of this urban site, the federal funding available, and the services Project H.O.P.E. can provide.”

According to Lynda Bascelli, medical director for the center, the new facility will triple the exam rooms for family health services, and create separate areas for behavioral health services and a large ground floor community room for educational events and community functions. “We will offer expanded services including flu shots and treatment for asthma, diabetes, and hypertension,” she said.

Project H.O.P.E. was able to move forward with its plans after receiving a $4.7 million Affordable Care Act grant to fund construction. Construction is being permitted under a special “renovations” clause in a new 15-year lease with the city.

Saphire and Albarran are the architects for this project. O.A. Petersonis the general contractor.

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New Camden Health Ctr. Is Under Construction

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