Chicago, IL — PCC Community Wellness Center (PCC) is breaking ground on a new Primary Care Pavilion estimated at $19.5 million. The new building is a collaboration between the Cook County Land Bank Authority (CCLBA), PCC, and Alderman Emma Mitts (37th Ward). It will be in support of Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s Invest South-West Initiative to address the social determinants of health on the greater west side of Chicago. The new pavilion will offer primary care, integrated behavioral health, care coordination and substance use treatment. The plan includes ways to stimulate economic growth for the Austin community by creating new jobs in specific allied health and administrative professions.
“We are pleased to partner with PCC, the Mayor’s Office, the City of Chicago, and the Cook County Land Bank Authority on this project. It has always been my mission to build a healthy community on the West Side. Bringing a program of this magnitude to the people in this community will restore hope, health, and the economy,” said Ald. Emma Mitts.
“We understand that health is wealth. The PCC Primary Care Pavilion represents our vision for improving the medical care rendered to the communities we serve,” PCC’s Board Chair, Dr. Carolyn Fitzpatrick, said.
Austin is one of many South and West Side communities participating in the Invest South-West Initiative. The new facility will be located in Austin on the south side of Lake Street, between Lotus and Pine, and will span five parcels of land from the CCLBA. The projected buildout will be approximately 36,525 square feet and will offer affordable coordination and team-based care, and reduced-cost plans to Austin residents. Health care services at the proposed campus include primary health care, integrated behavioral health, dental, and specialty services identified as high need in the community.
In collaboration with other Austin community organizations, the clinic will offer wellness programs such as a community garden/urban farm, a lifestyle center with exercise equipment and classes, and workforce development programming. In addition, the facility will expand access to COVID-19 services to Austin residents.
The new building will be WELL-certified, a certification program offered by the International WELL Building Institute™ (IWBI™). WELL is an integration of scientific and medical research and literature on environmental health, behavioral factors, health outcomes, and demographic risk factors that affect health with leading practices in building design, construction, and management. IWBI invited PCC to pilot its most impactful program and become one of the country’s first WELL-certified campuses.
In addition to the Well certification, PCC upholds its longstanding commitment to green buildings by pursuing a dual certification through the Green Globes program, administered by the Green Building Initiative (GBI). WELL buildings support increased productivity, higher engagement, overall occupant happiness, and a substantial reduction in energy use and water consumption.
“At PCC, one of our core values is our commitment to remain patient-focused. This center is our way of providing high-quality culturally sensitive care that is compassionate and driven by the needs of the communities we serve,” said Toni Bush, President and CEO of PCC.
The entire project will cost around $19.5 million with more than half of the funding coming from the PCC Foundation. The project is also eligible for the New Markets Tax Credit program, and additional government and private funding.
Supporting partners include 37th Ward Ald. Emma Mitts, 37th Ward, Rep. La Shawn K. Ford (8th), Congressman Danny K. Davis (D), Toni Bush, President and CEO, PCC Community Wellness Center, Eleanor Gorski, Executive Director, Cook County Land Bank Authority, and Darlene Dugo, Deputy Director at the Cook County Land Bank Authority.
“The opening of a new community healthcare center in the Austin community is another example of the continuing use of public resources being used in our communities across the nation to bring healthcare to the people. Congratulations to PCC for its sterling leadership in healthcare resources to the community. PCC has been an outstanding entity in the health community for many years and I look forward to the continuation of its great work,” said Congressman Danny K. Davis.
“The Cook County Land Bank Authority is delighted to partner with PCC and the City of Chicago to transform vacant parcels of land into high-quality healthcare facilities for West Side communities. CCLBA enables impactful land development that meets the needs of the surrounding community and we are excited to help PCC care for more patients in Austin,” said Eleanor Gorski, Executive Director of the Cook County Land Bank Authority.
The PCC Primary Care Pavilion will commence with an official groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, May 16, 2022, at the PCC Austin Family Health Center, 5425 West Lake Street (Lotus and Lake), at 11 a.m. The event is open to the community.
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About PCC Community Wellness Center
PCC Community Wellness Center is a Federally Qualified Health Center that operates 14 locations primarily serving the Chicago Westside communities of Austin, Belmont-Cragin, Dunning, East Garfield Park, Hermosa, Humboldt Park, Logan Square, Montclare, North Lawndale, Portage Park, West Garfield Park, and West Town and the near west suburbs of Bellwood, Berwyn, Cicero, Maywood, Melrose Park, and Oak Park. PCC provides comprehensive primary care services as well as behavioral health and oral health services. In Fiscal Year 2021, PCC served over 47,000 patients providing over 175,00 patient visits. To learn more, visit pccwellness.org/locations.
About Cook County Land Bank Authority
The Cook County Land Bank Authority, an independent agency of Cook County, was founded by the Cook County Board of Commissioners in 2013 to address residents and communities hit hard by the mortgage crisis. CCLBA gives local developers, community groups and potential homeowners the tools to transform their own communities from within. The Land Bank acquires properties that have sat tax‐delinquent, abandoned and vacant for years and sells them at below‐market rates to qualified community‐based developers, who then rehab the properties. This approach not only keeps revenue and jobs in the community, but it also helps local developers grow their businesses. Learn more about the Cook County Land Bank Authority at http://www.cookcountylandbank.org or email [email protected].
