Elected officials joined Borough President Adolfo Carrion, Jr. to show their support as the Medalliance staff kicked off construction of the $13 million medical and rehabilitation services facility that will anchor the north side of Fordham Road.
Medalliance president and CEO Sean Daneshuar said he’s proud to invest in the borough he calls home. “I’m a Bronx boy so I’m coming here to provide high quality health care for the community,” he said.
Construction for the 50,000 square foot facility is expected to begin in July. Completion is set for three stages to minimize neighborhood interruption. The first stage, which will add 30,000 square feet to the existing building, has an estimated completion date of 2010.
During the second stage, 20,000 square feet will enlarge the back of the building, with the addition of underground parking for 145 vehicles. A 17-story space for businesses and residential tenants will complete the Medalliance facility.
“This is another important step that indicates the direction this borough is moving in,” Carrion said.
Medalliance has served the borough for 18 years, first as a private practice under a different name, before seeing a metamorphosis five years ago to meet the growing needs of underserved neighborhoods in Community Board 6 and beyond.
As a result of Article 28, Medalliance was born five years ago as a comprehensive medical center with an aim to provide immediate care for those suffering with diabetes, asthma, obesity and heart disease, among other medical concerns.
“We are making a difference in the neighborhood we serve by investing in health care,” Daneshuar said, of the privately funded project made possible through a partnership with Flushing Savings Bank.
Expected to create more that 400 jobs throughout it’s construction and completion, Medalliance will expand its services that include cardiology, podiatry, ophthalmology, and dermatology, among others to include gastroenterology, endocrinology, nephrology, oncology and dental services.
Seeing only 10,000 patients when Medalliance opened in 2003, Daneshuar said it’s the business’ open insurance policy that’s significantly fueled their success and need for larger space.
With more than 50% of clients being Medicaid based, Daneshuar believe the new construction will help meet the borough’s medical needs.
“’Your Family Health Center,’” said Daneshuar, “will correctly be ‘Your Complete Family Health Center.’”
