Evergreen Health Services is ready to undergo a major expansion in Buffalo. A groundbreaking was held Wednesday morning outside the downtown headquarters on South Elmwood Avenue.
It's an $11-million expansion project. Evergreen President Ron Silverio noted the center has served in the Chippewa and West Village community for the past 30-years and now is ready to modernize its services.
"Many of us have hoped and planned and dreamed and waited nearly 30-years to be able to offer a state-of-the-art medical and service facility for the thousands of folks from so many communities who look to us to be here for them, so today, we launch the start of that dream coming true" said Silverio prior to the groundbreaking.
Evergreen leaders said the Center has experienced substantial growth serving more than 13,000 clients. It also employs 250-staffers.
"Today marks an amazing point in our development," stated Joy Feldman, Chair of Evergreen Board of Trustees.
While speaking prior to the groundbreaking, Feldman told those gathered in the parking lot off South Elmwood on Chippewa that the new center will more than 'double' its downtown service space.
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"It renews our commitment to the city of Buffalo and to its many communities, particularly our brothers and sisters living with HIV, members of the LBGTQ community, members of the Trans community and refugees -- all of whom have found a home at Evergreen," stated Feldman.
Feldman also thanked the city, Common Council and state representatives as it grows into a major service provider and employer downtown.
State Assemblyman Sean Ryan and State Senator Tim Kennedy both participated in the groundbreaking. Ryan and Kennedy praised Evergreen for providing needed health services in the Buffalo community.
"Evergreen Health Services has been on the front lines -- in helping individuals especially in their most critical time of need," said Kennedy.
"Talk about an organization that has come a long way from their original mission, but never left their original mission -- AIDS Community Services, you know remember that from some 20-years ago, well that has expanded into a major provider of health care for all Buffaolians," stated Ryan.
Ryan noted that Evergreen has served as a developer in the city. Evergreen has stepped up in the past to transform vacant sites, pointing to turning a parking lot off Chippewa into a new building to expand their services.
The expansion is expected to be completed in one-year. The new building will feature a terra cotta facade and glass atrium connecting to the current center.