Addabbo Health Center opens after nearly a decade

After almost a decade of planning and construction, the Addabbo Family Health Center’s new facility was officially opened to the public on October 8.
&#8220Our family is very proud of the work the Health Center does,” said Councilmember Joseph Addabbo.
Named for Addabbo’s late father, the Joseph P. Addabbo Health Center was established in 1987 as a private non-profit community health organization in an old Department of Health building before moving to the new facility located at 62-00 Beach Channel Drive in the Rockaways.
&#8220It’s what my dad lived for,” Addabbo said. &#8220The name is associated with a program that provides highly affordable healthcare for Rockaway Peninsula residents.”
The new state-of-the-art facility, which carried an $11 million price tag, was funded on the federal, state, and city levels. Queens Borough President Helen Marshall’s office provided $2 million and ensured that $350,000 of that amount would be used for landscaping and street improvements surrounding the new structure.
&#8220It’s the funding on every level that’s not only critical but also appreciated,” Addabbo said. &#8220The type of capital dollars needed for a building like this is an endeavor.”
According to Addabbo, the arrival of a new health facility comes just in time, as Rockaway will be seeing two new housing developments completed in the next few years. Addabbo said that with the number of people estimated to be coming to the Rockaways, a new center to supplement the two existing health care facilities is integral.
&#8220We’re elated that it’s finally open,” said Dan Andrews, spokesperson for Marshall. &#8220Rockaway is undergoing a housing renaissance and it’s a much needed facility. We expect that this is going to be something the community will love,” Andrews said.