What is the NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center Expansion?

Introduction

At the junction of Plymouth and Penn Avenues in the heart of north Minneapolis, a major new development has recently sprouted to address the medical and dental needs of the community.

Project Overview

The NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center’s expansion project — two new buildings — doubles the center’s capacity to treat patients, providing a modern facility that accommodates any need except surgery and hospitalization.

The $54 million project, funded by bonds taken out by Hennepin County, “is one of the most important the county has been focusing on for the past 10 years,” said Margo Geffen, the county’s director of facility services.

Community Involvement

NorthPoint operates with a community board, independent of the county. Planning relied significantly on input from local residents. One resident’s comment guided the development: “Let me be part of this project. Don’t just do this project to me.”

Design and Construction

Construction of the new buildings reflects community wishes: one-stop service and ease of navigation between the various departments that provide integrated care. NorthPoint offers human ambassadors to welcome patients and help them find their way.

The project had seven phases, during which medical care continued uninterrupted. A one-story addition was built on the south side of the existing building, which was remodeled, and a two-story addition on the north side, allowing NorthPoint to see 1,600 more unique patients in 2023 than in 2022.

Patient Care and Services

Normally, the facility treats 30,000 patients a year, some with private insurance and some on medical assistance. Uninsured patients can be covered with a county grant of $2 million a year.

This project has a tremendous impact, not only on the north side but also expanding to serve patients from areas like Brooklyn Park and Brooklyn Center. Almost half the patients are served in a language other than English — 47 languages were used in 2023. The racial breakdown includes 41% Black, 35% Latino, and 11% Asian, mainly Hmong.

Diversity and Employment

The project made sure to employ workers from racial minority groups and awarded bids to minority contractors.

Infrastructure Improvements

Met Council and Hennepin County redid surrounding streets and adjusted timing on traffic lights at the now-busier intersection. Met Council also improved the frequency of bus service and set up NexTrip monitors with real-time bus schedules inside the clinic.

Conclusion

A project truly focused on patients — and community.

* All photos submitted to F&C Magazine

NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center Expansion

Address: 2220 Plymouth Ave. N., Minneapolis

Project cost: $54 million

Project size: 130,282 square feet

Owner: Hennepin County

Contractor: J.E. Dunn Construction Company

Architect: AECOM

Engineer: Palanisami & Associates, Inc. (structural); Victus Engineering (electrical and mechanical); Anderson Engineering (civil)