Renovations to Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center Completed

On October 4, 2012, the Edward M. Kennedy Community Health Center in Framingham, Massachusetts celebrated its grand opening. Teaming with Steffian Bradley Architects of Boston, Erland Construction Inc. renovated the existing office building into approximately 8,000 square feet of clinical space, which nearly doubled the center’s previous capacity.

Anaddition to the medical office building that features a new lobby and elevator was constructed. The entire first floor was renovated, along with a portion of the third floor. The second and third floors were occupied by other businesses that remained in operation throughout the building’s renovations.

The major challenge on this project was maintaining handicap access to the 2^nd floor once the existing elevator lobby was demolished, for the human services tenants that remained – including a 24/7 suicide hotline. Collaborating with the Town’s Elevator Access Board, a temporary enclosed wheelchair lift was built to enable handicapped access to the second and third floors throughout construction of the new elevator.

The new location now features examination rooms, patient rooms, a laboratory, private offices for patient consultations, and staff conference rooms. New sprinklers were installed throughout the building, which was completed during nights and weekends in occupied areas to ensure minimal disruption to current tenants.