Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center & Health Center
The City of Racine, Wisconsin's racially and economically diverse Lincoln-King community has long experienced systemic inequities, but residents are optimistic that plans to invest $68 million in a new 85,000-SF community recreation center and health clinic will become a catalyst for change.
Markets/Services
Architecture, MEP Engineering, Workplace, Public & Civic, Health, Behavioral Health, Climate Action, Sustainable Design
Size
85,000 SF
The new Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center and Health Center will be constructed in the heart of Racine's underserved Lincoln-King neighborhood and will house a new federally qualified health center (FQHC) and the relocated Public Health Department (PHD) and will replace the beloved but outdated (existing) Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center. The consolidation of these entities underscores Racine’s commitment to creating a more holistic and equitable approach to healthcare, accessibility and wellbeing – bringing critical resources closer to residents while addressing long-standing socio-economic disparities.
One of five community centers across the city, the original King Center served the recreational, social, educational and cultural needs of citizens across generations. The new facility builds upon that structure and legacy, increasing access to broader recreational, fitness and social offerings while adding new amenities to meet the region’s evolving needs. It also bolsters the city’s ability to provide children with a safe, reliable and free place to play, do homework, enjoy sports and attend culturally enriching programs including dance, music, art and more.
The new holistic health center combines medical, behavioral, mental health and dental care into a single patient-centered model. Services are free to all, regardless of insurance coverage or financial circumstances.
Recognizing that underserved urban neighborhoods are disproportionally affected by climate change, sustainability and resiliency are integral to the project's design. Targeting Net-Zero Energy and LEED Platinum certification, the project prioritizes operational resiliency and environmental stewardship and establishes a new sustainable benchmark for future construction and development within the City of Racine. Innovative renewable and high-performing solutions are incorporated throughout the building and include a geo-exchange system paired with passive design strategies to minimize heating and cooling demands; a dedicated outside air system (DOAS) with heat pump coils and energy recovery; a domestic water system that utilizes water source heat pumps; a grey water system; onsite photovoltaics, and more.