Have you seen the blue building, the really blue building, on Buttonwoods Avenue across from Job Lot?

No, that’s not the color it’s going to be when finished, but as Joanne McGonagle points out, it’s a “pretty wrap” for now.

McGonagle, chief executive officer of CCAP (Comprehensive Community Action Program), expects the “brand new health center” to open in February. Currently CCAP is providing health services out of the Wilcox Center and space leased from Westbay Community Action behind Wilcox. CCAP will keep those spaces transitioning Wilcox into a dental clinic.

McGonagle said it was evident soon after Wilcox opened that it would be tight on space. CCAP kept an eye out with the thought of expanding, and when WCA director Paul Salera told her the adjoining strip mall was for sale, which incidentally housed headquarters for Frank Picozzi’s initial run for mayor, she acted. CCAP bought the property for about $350,000 and demolished the building. Going up in its place is a two story 24,695 square foot building. Ahlborg Construction is doing the job that McGonagle estimated at $3 million.

She praised Ahlborg, saying the job has proceeded without a hitch. “It’s been an easy process,” she said.

When completed, McGonagle said, the staff would be expanded from three to five medical providers and the center would have two dentists, who she described as “hard to come by.” She said the CCAP health center records 7,340 medical encounters annually that she estimated translates into 5,500 patients. She doesn’t foresee the number of patients increasing dramatically with the new building. She expects a reduction in wait times and more spacious accommodations. She said the first floor would be devoted to primary care with the second floor for mental health care and billing offices.

McGonagle is hopeful of completing the project without financing. She is thankful former Congressman James Langevin came though with a $1 million grant. Additional funds will come out of reserves and operations.

McGonagle said the city has been a great partner, singling out Mayor Picozzi and Community Development Director William Facente.

CCAP serves Cranston, Coventry and Warwick, but as McGonagle points out, “we turn no one away.”