$27M Kent County Human Services complex provides one-stop shopping for people in need

For 20 years, Kent County government leaders have wanted to construct a facility where county residents can access a variety of human services in one location. Last week, the waiting ended when the $27 million Human Services Complex, 121 Franklin SE, Grand Rapids, opened for business.

At the complex, Kent County residents can now visit a number of county agencies that used to be scattered throughout Greater Grand Rapids: ACSET-Michigan Works, the Sheldon Health Clinic, Department of Human Services, Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services.

Services range from job training and Hispanic Senior Meals to daycare vouchers and emergency utility services.

“We did a geo-map study prior to presenting the plan to the board of commissioners in Lansing, to identify where the client base is located. Seventy percent are within a three-mile radius of the former Human Services location, 415 Franklin, just two blocks away,” says Wayman Britt, assistant Kent County administrator.

The added convenience means that many clients are now within walking distance, and two bus routes bring clients within two blocks of the complex.

A permanent nine-foot-tall, 16-foot-long glass exhibit inside the north lobby honors 30 of Kent County leaders who have ” have led efforts to improve the human condition of Kent County residents,” Britt says.

“We had a 20-year wait for this facility because of a big bottleneck between us and the State of Michigan that we finally overcame,” he adds. “At a time like this when we have more people out of work and a greater demand for services, it couldn’t have come at a better time.”

The complex is the first LEED certified building constructed by Kent County.

Source: Wayman Britt, Kent County; Kate Washburn, Wondergem Consulting

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Deborah Johnson Wood is development news editor for Rapid Growth Media. She can be contacted at deborah@rapidgrowthmedia.com.