Codman Square Health Center breaks ground on new complex

October 26, 2011|By Patrick Rosso, Town Correspondent, Globe Staff

State and city officials joined Codman Square Health Center staff to officially… (Patrick Rosso/Boston.com/2011) )

Patrick Rosso/Boston.com/2011)

State and city officials joined Codman Square Health Center staff to officially break ground.

By Patrick Rosso, Town Correspondent

Dorchester’s Codman Square Health Center officially broke ground on their new health and education complex Wednesday.

The 35,000 square-foot building will cost nearly $18 million and provide 22 new exam rooms. It also will allow for more space for the Codman Academy Charter Public School to expand.

Governor Deval Patrick and Mayor Thomas Menino, along with other elected state and city officials, were on hand to congratulate the staff and the community on their achievement.

“Massachusetts is a national leader in health care and education, thanks to innovative organizations like the Codman Square Community Health Center and Codman Academy,” Patrick said.

The new construction was paid for with by contributions from corporate sponsors and through the health center’s fund-raising.

$8 million was also contributed through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

State Senator Jack Hart was also on hand to congratulate the staff and look towards the future.

“The reward for a job well done is the opportunity to do more. Because of the extraordinary work done here, they will have opportunity to do much more,” said Hart.

Sandra Cotterell the CEO of the health center also expressed her excitement for the groundbreaking and the message it sends to the community.

“We’re here to stay, we’re growing and we will continue to provide access to services,” she said.

Construction is expected to be completed in fall 2012.

Email Patrick Rosso, patrick.d.rosso@gmail.com. Follow him @PDRosso, or friend him on Facebook.