Mountain Park Health Center (MPHC) has selected SmithGroupJJR as the architectural firm to lead the design of the Gateway Project, a clinic set to open in 2014 at 3838 E. Van Buren in Phoenix.

The selection process has been underway since early August when a committee was formed to assist in the identification and evaluation of potential architectural firms. A request for qualifications (RFQ) for this specific project was initiated in mid-August, attracting four potential firms.

Through a vetting process that included extensive proposal scoring and ranking, the committee narrowed the field to two firms whose teams each received a face-to-face interview. A committee comprised of MPHC leadership made the final decision.

“The SmithGroupJJR/Kellogg & Associates team was chosen because of their extensive healthcare experience, their understanding of the project vision, and a great proposal and presentation” says Michelle Hernandez, Communications Director. “They presented us with a multidisciplinary team that we feel will help us see our vision of reinventing the community health center to fruition. We look forward to working with their team to create something that will prove to be a great asset to the surrounding community.”

“Our team’s been moved by Mountain Park Health Center’s long-standing commitment to providing all patients – particularly the underinsured – with access to affordable, quality healthcare services,” says Mark Patterson, AIA, leader of the health studio in SmithGroupJJR’s Phoenix office. “We’re honored to be part of a project that will help to advance their model for delivering care to an often overlooked segment of the community.”

The new clinic, will bring affordable healthcare to an additional 12,000 Phoenix residents and will include multiple exam rooms, leasing space for entrepreneurial ventures, Mayo/ASU specialty care and telemedicine, a dental clinic, and more. The clinic will continue Mountain Park’s mission to provide access to affordable healthcare for families.