In one of the most densely populated and medically underserved areas of Chicago, three nonprofit organizations are teaming up to build a unique new health and community center to provide critically needed services across a broad range of health, wellness and community social needs. The $26 million, 48,500-square-foot Brighton Park Health Center to be built at the corner of 47th Street and California Avenue is a partnership between Esperanza Health Centers, a top-ranked Federally Qualified Health Center; Sinai Health System, a nonprofit health system that offers primary and specialty care through four hospitals and 14 clinics; and Mujeres Latinas en Acción, a nonprofit that empowers Latinas and their families through a range of social services and advocacy efforts. Together the organizations will offer a comprehensive array of services with an estimated 80,000 patient visits annually.

The center will be located in Brighton Park and also serve residents of Gage Park, Back of the Yards and Archer Heights. Together these communities comprise a massive health care desert on the southwest side. Currently there are 31,674 residents in Brighton Park and Gage Park for every health provider, nearly ten times the federally identified ratio of 3,500 residents per provider that indicates a health provider shortage. The center is designed by noted Chicago architect Juan Gabriel Moreno of JGMA, and continues the recent trend of bringing world-class architecture to Chicago’s neighborhoods. In addition to healthcare services, the center will also feature a community garden, outdoor amphitheater, playground, terrace garden with walking trails and running paths, and a community kitchen to support the health and wellness goals of clinic patients and all community residents. The partners are in the process of securing financing for the new center, and expect to break ground in mid 2017, with the new facility to open in late 2018. The $26 million center will be financed largely through new market tax credits (NMTC), cash and debt taken on by Esperanza Health Centers and Sinai Health System. La Raza Development Fund, PNC Bank and Chicago Development Fund are bringing NMTC to the project, as well as debt financing. Once complete, the health center will begin adding services and staff over a two-year period. The partners anticipate hiring for 87 new full time positions, including physicians, medical assistants, care coordinators, a nurse, patient service representatives and a licensed clinical social worker. An additional 169 temporary construction jobs will be created in building the center.