The upcoming Bronzeville Health Center at 467 E 31st Street in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood marks a significant expansion of Cook County Health's services on the South Side. Situated in the Lake Meadows area, this project is poised to play a critical role in addressing the healthcare needs of the community, particularly in family medicine, behavioral health, and rehabilitation services. This blog provides an in-depth look at the construction and design elements of the project.
Project Overview
Key Details:
- Location: 467 E 31st Street, Bronzeville, Chicago
- Developer: Cook County Health
- Facility Name: Bronzeville Health Center
- Total Area: 26,000 square feet
- Total Cost: Approximately $10 million
- Completion Date: Early 2025
“The Health Center holds the promise not only of addressing the immediate health need, but also fostering long-term improvements in health outcomes on Chicago’s South Side. It will play a critical role in addressing the persistent, systemic barriers to health that we’re all aware of. It will also support a healthier and more equitable future for Cook County.”
County Board President | Toni Preckwinkle
Construction and Design Features
1. Building Structure and Renovation
- Existing Building: The Bronzeville Health Center will occupy a two-story, 26,000-square-foot building originally constructed in 1959 as office space for Illinois Bell. The building, designed by the renowned architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), recently underwent a complete exterior renovation, including updates to the white exterior, new windows, and landscaping.
- Interior Renovation: The building’s interior will be transformed into a modern health clinic, with construction expected to start soon and be completed by early 2025.
2. Exam Rooms and Clinical Spaces
- 44 Exam Rooms: The facility will house 44 exam rooms, designed to provide comprehensive healthcare services. These rooms will support a high patient turnover, with the center projected to see approximately 85,000 patients in its first year.
- Specialized Therapy Areas: The facility will include a gym for physical rehabilitation, accommodating physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy services.
3. Healthcare Services and Facilities
- Family Medicine and Behavioral Health: The new center will offer family medicine and behavioral health services, relocating these practices from their current location at Provident Hospital's Sengstacke Health Center. This move will free up space at Provident Hospital for additional services.
- Rehabilitation Services: In addition to family medicine and behavioral health, the center will provide rehabilitation services, including physical, occupational, and speech therapy, in a dedicated gym space.
4. Community Impact and Expansion
- Community Healthcare Access: The Bronzeville Health Center is one of 14 outpatient facilities that Cook County Health operates in the city and surrounding suburbs. It is designed to improve healthcare access in a historically underserved community, addressing systemic barriers to health.
- Support for Provident Hospital: By moving family medicine and behavioral health practices to the new clinic, Provident Hospital will gain additional space to expand its hospital-based services. This reallocation of space enhances the hospital's ability to provide specialized care.
Itemized Breakdown of Project Features
- Location: 467 E 31st Street, Bronzeville, Chicago
- Building Structure:
- Two-story, 26,000-square-foot facility
- Original construction in 1959, designed by SOM
- Recent exterior renovations including new facade, windows, and landscaping
- Interior Renovations:
- 44 exam rooms
- Gym for physical rehabilitation
- Holistic, person-centered care for behavioral health services
Chicago Yimby reports that the Bronzeville Health Center represents a significant investment in the healthcare infrastructure of Chicago's South Side, providing vital services to a community that has long faced systemic barriers to health.
For construction workers involved in the project, this development offers an opportunity to work on a historically significant building while contributing to a project that will have a lasting positive impact on the community. The clinic's completion will not only expand healthcare access but also enhance the capabilities of Provident Hospital, ensuring that residents receive comprehensive and holistic care close to home.
