Community Corner

ACLD Breaks Ground on New Center

The developmental disabilities non-profit will have a new health care facility next summer.

A local non-profit that helps individuals with developmental disabilities has broken ground ground on a new health-care center in Bethpage.

Adults and Children with Learning and Developmental Disabilities, Inc. (ACLD) serves more than 3,000 Long Island children and adults. The new state-of-the-art center will be called the Charles Evans Health Services Center.

“ACLD is one step closer to completing its goal to expand ACLD services and improve the quality of life for thousands of Long Islanders with developmental disabilities," said Aaron Liebowitz, executive director of ACLD. “The Charles Evans Health Services Center furthers ACLD’s mission of supporting the pursuit of an enviable life and today the community salutes the many donors and supporters who are helping to make this project possible.”

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The new 22,000 square foot center will be named in honor of Charles Evans, who founded the fashion house Evan-Picone and was a film producer, commercial real estate developer and supporter of many charitable and community causes.

The $10 million building is one of ACLD’s largest capital expansions in its 50-year history.

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The center will be a two-story, modular building adjacent to ACLD’s headquarters at 807 South Oyster Bay Road in Bethpage. The building’s modular design allows site development and assembly to occur simultaneously, shortening the construction timeline and also reducing noise and air pollution and excess waste, according to ACLD.

ACLD launched a Capital Campaign Program to secure private donations to help fund the project. 

“This project is critical to the future of ACLD and the individuals who rely on its services," said Don Mitzner, chairman of the ACLD Capital Campaign Committee. "The Charles Evans Health Services Center will ensure that people with developmental disabilities have access to quality healthcare, benefit from coordinated services and have every opportunity to pursue an enviable life."

The center will combine a modern outpatient medical facility with ACLD’s Article 28 Clinic for general and specialized care and will house two dental operatories. The layout of the health services section of the new center was designed specifically for people with developmental disabilities, allowing for smooth transitions between reception, treatment rooms and health care provider consultation spaces, the center said.

Fusion Architecture, headquartered in Plainview, designed the new facility and Axis Construction, based in Hauppauge, will act as construction project manager.

The center's completion date is July 2012.


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