Lincoln committee OKs $4.8M health care center

LINCOLN – No one will ever be afraid to see their doctors at the new Health Access Network office if Judy Graebert has any say in it.

The Holden-based architect, who works for Concert Point Architecture, designed the $4.8 million structure, she said, with an eye toward promoting a feeling of warm country comfort – no ostentation or towering modernity – and a reassuring sense of professionalism.

“We wanted to lend it a familiar shape that’s very inviting and has elements of a contemporary medical facility,” Graebert said Friday. “Because it is serving a rural community, we want it to be inviting and friendly.”

Grabert’s designs impressed the planning board enough to earn a 7-0 vote in favor of Health Access’ site-plan application during a special meeting Wednesday. This clears the way for a building permit application and a groundbreaking by April, if all goes well, Code Enforcement Supervisor Ruth Birtz said.

Health Access plans to build the 28,000-square-foot, two-story building at 175 West Broadway for primary care, mental health, podiatry, OB-GYN specialties and administrative services. It will be adjacent to the Lincoln Maine Federal Credit Union at 171 West Broadway.

“The design is quite striking. It will be a very nice fit for Lincoln,” Birtz said.

The new building will help Health Access Network add as many as 15 new jobs – including three primary-care doctors and two mental health professionals – to its 90-worker payroll. Health Access officials hope the project will spur more additions to the Lincoln Lakes region’s medical community.

Some state permits are still required, but officials hope the building will be ready to open in early 2009.