Hope for the Inner City seeks city help to upgrade long-running dental clinic and facility
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Summary
Hope for the Inner City asked the council for funding to update its older building and a dental clinic that serves low-income residents; leaders said capital work is needed to keep services on-site and to prevent patients being referred elsewhere for care.
Anthony Watkins, representing Hope for the Inner City, presented on July 1 about building-condition needs and the nonprofit’s dental clinic, which the organization said dates to 1985 and serves residents with limited dental coverage.
Watkins said the group operates from a 59-year-old former Salvation Army building and has completed piecemeal improvements (roof and HVAC work) but needs additional capital for the dental clinic and building systems. He said equipment and facility updates are necessary to keep dental services available on site; otherwise some procedures must be referred back to dentists’ offices, reducing access for the community the clinic serves.
Why it matters: The dental clinic provides care to low-income residents, and upgrades could improve access to dental services that support employment and health. Watkins asked the council to consider capital support; councilmembers thanked him and expressed interest in visiting the facility.
No formal vote occurred; the presentation was informational and intended to inform upcoming ARPA funding discussions.