Queens residents will soon have a brand new and affordable health center — right in their backyard.
Planned Parenthood of New York City (PPNYC) announced plans to open a not-for-profit health center in 2015 in Long Island City, two blocks away from the Court Square subway station.
The two-story facility, located at 21-41 45th Rd., is the first Planned Parenthood health center in the borough and will include a conference center and administrative space on the first floor with the health center on the second floor. Construction is expected to begin in the next couple of months.
“What the community organizations said to us loud and clear is they really do need to have a center available to them and in tune to the multicultural needs of Queens,” said Joan Malin, president and CEO of PPNYC. “We want all the communities in Queens to know that we are there.”
Out of the 50,000 patients who annually visit the four other health centers located in the other boroughs, a total of 5,000 people already come from Queens, Malin said.
“The new health center will strengthen our ability to provide Queens residents with the essential reproductive health care services they need,” she said.
Throughout the years PPNYC has partnered with community organizations, such as the Queens Library and Sunnyside Community Services, to create programs ensuring parents and young people have access to sexual and reproductive health information. PPNYC plans to continue these relationships with the new center.
“The addition of a Planned Parenthood health center in Queens is a positive step toward ensuring all borough residents have the quality health care they deserve,” Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer said.
When it opens, the health center will provide full reproductive health services, education, help with enrollment and services for men. The conference center will be opened to organizations from all over the borough to rent and use, and PPNYC will also hold programs in the space.
“This new health center is very much appreciated, especially in light of the recent closing of several of our borough’s hospitals,” Borough President Melinda Katz said. “It will help guarantee that all 2.3 million of our borough’s residents will be able to get quality health care when they need it.”
The Long Island City Planned Parenthood location is anticipated to have about 24,000 annual visits from about 17,000 patients. The center is also opened to residents from the other boroughs.
“We must continue working to ensure health care is provided to those who need it most, and a new health center in our neighborhood is a great start,” Senator Michael Gianaris said.
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