On June 9, 2008, PCC hosted a ground breaking ceremony for the new Austin Family Health Center.  The event was held at  Holy Trinity Church next to our plot of land.  Guest speakers included Alderman Ed Smith, Senator Don Harmon, Representative Deborah Graham, Barry Maram, Director of Illinois Department of Healthcare & Family Services, and Terry Mason, Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health.  After a ceremony, everyone stepped outside while special guests and staff broke ground with hard hats and shovels.  Refreshments were served in the church’s banquet hall. 

The new Austin Family Health Center will be completed in 2009.  The new facility will have 15 exam rooms, parking, and space for additional support services.  The same comprehensive primary healthcare services offered at the current center will continue to be provided at the new facility, however, the new AFHC will allow PCC to expand its medical capacity by 150% and provide more than 32,000 patient visits annually.

PCC is currently in the process of obtaining Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for the new Austin Family Health Center.  LEED certification is the recognized standard for measuring building sustainability. PCC's Austin Family Health Center will be one of just a handful of community health centers in the nation with LEED certification.