Local residents had an apportunity to hear about the Floyd Community Health Center's new clinic building during a reception at the Jacksonville Center Thursday night.
Bob Rogers of Architectural Alternatives spoke about the building to be constructed just off Route 615 in Floyd. The Floyd Community Health Center, part of the Tri-Area Group of clinics, has been operating in a dormitory on Jacksonville Center property. Bids on the new clinicbuildings are due by February 26 and Rogers said construction could possibly start by mid-April, with the project stretching into the first months of 2010.
The over 8,000 square foot floor plan has been designed for expansion, but Rogers said the plan "will give plenty of space for anticipated need for some time to come."
One of the goals, Rogers told reception visitors, was to make use of local products in the construction and to design it as "green" as possible. "This is truly a project designed by a committee reflective of a large number of people."
The clinic builidng is a wood frame structure with fiber cement siding and a metal roof.
A combination of locally produced material by Auz-Bloc and green materials will be included in the lower part of the facade.
There is also a timber frame featured on the building.
Carpet of recycled fibers and environmental friendly flooring are included in the plan.
Along with the medical rooms, the interior will have a conference/lounge area, which can also be used for training purposes.
Rogers said local art will be part of the interior decorations. A mural to celebrate the arts in Floyd County will be displayed in the children's area, and there are plans to fill the walls of the hallway with art. Rogers added that outdoor sculpture could be a possibility at the site.
The architect also described the property as a pedestrian-friendly property, with sidewalks leading from the Blue Ridge Manor Apartments up to the clinic.
