Healthy start beckons county clinic, lab

Healthy start beckons county clinic, lab
By Danny Bernardini
Article Launched: 05/30/2008

With county supervisors selecting public art projects Tuesday and a ground-breaking ceremony Thursday, things are starting to come together for the $18.7 million health clinic and laboratory in Fairfield.

The public health clinic, public health lab and forensics lab - part of the Twin Campus Project - will be built near Courage Drive. A ground-breaking ceremony took place on the corner of Watney Way and Courage Drive on Thursday.

The building is part of an effort by Solano County to integrate health services by including them in one place. Some of those services include primary care, mental health, public health, substance abuse, child welfare, employment, Medi-Cal, food stamps and services for older and disabled adults.

The Public Health Laboratory will be relocated from Vallejo to a new expanded and upgrade laboratory that will enhance Public Health services and emergency response. The Forensics Laboratory will provide essential lab analysis that supports the efforts of the district attorney and the sheriff, according to Steve Pierce, public information officer for Solano County.

And earlier this week, the Solano County Board of Supervisors approved a sculpture and mural as public art pieces for the Fairfield building.

Dayton Claudio was selected to create "Passiflora," an exterior freestanding sculpture that may double as an archway. Also selected was Gregg Valley's work for a lobby mural titled "Growth."