SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – A ceremonial groundbreaking has taken place for an expansion and renovation of the former Cub Foods near South Grand and Dirksen that’s long been the home of the Sangamon County Health Department and some Capital Township services, but will make it better, friendlier, and more efficient.

 

Work previously started on the project at the Sangamon County Health Department building, 2833 S. Grand Ave. East, near the intersection with S. Dirksen Parkway.  The ceremony, though, was Tuesday.  The facility has become homes, or at least partial homes, to the health department, a SIU Medicine facility, Capitol Township government assistance, Heartland Housed, and other needs.

The building was once a Cub Foods location before becoming the Health Department’s home more than 20 years ago, back when State Sen. Doris Turner was what Sangamon County Board Chair Andy Van Meter described as a “wet behind the ears” board member.

“People who are coming for public health services need so many other services that we provide,” said Turner (D-Springfield).  “Why can’t we start putting all of that under one roof, so people can come to one location and get all of the services that they actually need?  That’s what will happen right here in this building.”

That need has turned into something of a “paradox,” said Van Meter.

“The paradox of all these good intentions is that the people we intended to help, ended up having to travel from one office to the next across our community,” said Van Meter (R-Dist. 24).  “Just getting help became a giant logistics puzzle requiring a shuffle from office to office with days spent keeping their lives together, instead of moving their lives forward.”

Van Meter said grant and other money will pay for the $16 million project, without raising taxes.

And, it will help the community, said another county official.

“We’re going to have a final product that will really serve as a beacon for the east side of Springfield.  As our corridor coming in on South Grant, this will be a shining star for the entrance into Springfield,” said John Ridley, director, Sangamon County Health Department.

Health department services are expected to stay open and operating during the construction, with no new offices being moved into the space until work is complete, expected in 2028, said Van Meter and Ridley.