Penobscot Community Health Center of Bangor has received a $3 million loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to renovate the former Helen Hunt School in Old Town.

The Old Town Council accepted a bid last October from PCHC to purchase the former Helen Hunt School for $100,000.

The Rev. Robert Carlson, PCHC president, and City Manager Peggy Daigle have signed the purchase and sale agreement, but a date to start construction on the building hasn’t been set.

The plan is to move Old Town Family Practice into the first floor and part of the basement of the Brunswick Street building, and use the second floor and attic for other purposes that are yet to be determined.

“It’s exciting to be able to preserve that building for the community and to be able to do the kinds of things that we’re going to be able to do in terms of the medical practice,” Carlson said Thursday.

In addition to family practice services, Carlson said plans for the facility include pediatric services, nutrition and diabetes classes, smoking cessation classes, and physical therapy.

Renovations to the basement and first floor include installing new heating, air conditioning, plumbing and electrical systems, as well as an elevator and upgrades to promote energy efficiency.

PCHC is a nonprofit community organization governed by a board of volunteers that was incorporated in 1997. The center’s mission is to “provide access, regardless of ability to pay, for all people of the greater Bangor region to quality community health care services, and to promote access for all in Maine.”

“We’re very excited about the project,” Carlson said.