Central Health President & CEO Dr. Patrick Lee Discusses the Impact of the Colony Park Health & Wellness Center

Central Health recently broke ground on the Colony Park Health & Wellness Center, a community-focused medical facility designed to expand access to care across underserved areas of Austin and Travis County.

We are proud to highlight the long-standing partnership between Dunaway and Central Health, as well as the broader Colony Park Sustainable Community Initiative, and the significance of the new 32,000-square-foot facility, bringing vital healthcare services to Northeast Austin.

Dunaway’s Role in the Colony Park Health & Wellness Center

Dunaway provided civil engineering, landscape architecture, and surveying services for the Heath & Wellness Center, which represents a major investment in long-term public health and infrastructure for one of Austin’s rapidly growing areas.

The project site presented technical and regulatory challenges, including variable topography, expansive clay soils, limited existing utility infrastructure, and the integration of new services within an evolving planned unit development.

This project reflects Dunaway’s robust experience supporting healthcare and community-focused facilities, where infrastructure, access, and long-term planning are critical to successful outcomes.

Prior to the Health & Wellness Center, Dunaway also co-led the 2014 Colony Park Sustainable Community Initiative, a 208-acre master-planned community focused on creating a sustainable, livable, mixed-use development for Northeast Austin. Teaming up with Chicago-based Farr Associate Architecture & Urban Design, Dunaway’s work included coordination between City departments, Capital Metro, and Austin-Travis County Health Services, and neighborhood stakeholders, in addition to providing services in LEED/green design, environmental engineering, traffic engineering, and landscape architecture.

In celebration of the groundbreaking of the Colony Park Health and Wellness Center, we spoke with Dr. Patrick Lee, President & CEO of Central Health, to learn more about the impact of this project and how Dunaway’s partnership helped bring the facility to fruition. 

Q&A with Central Health President & CEO Dr. Patrick Lee

What inspired the creation of the Colony Park Health & Wellness Center, and what community needs was it designed to address?

The Colony Park Health & Wellness Center is about keeping a promise to our neighbors, bringing care closer to a community that has been asking for it for years. The Colony Park community is growing fast and getting younger, with more than 20,000 people in residence in the neighborhood.

With nearly 70% identifying as Hispanic or Latino and with one in three residents under 18, the need for accessible and local care is clear. In 2023 alone, almost 4,600 Colony Park residents—about one in four—were enrolled in Central Health programs. Despite that, too many families still have to travel across town for basic services. That means two things: the need is real, and community members are already relying on Central Health for their care. This center meets that need head-on, bringing primary care, prevention, and support services into the neighborhood so people can get care earlier, stay healthier, and avoid bigger health problems down the line.

How will the Colony Park Health & Wellness Center improve access to care for East Austin residents?

The Colony Park Health & Wellness Center will bring care closer to where people live – cutting down long drives, long waits, and missed appointments that too often turn small issues into bigger ones. This project represents more than a decade of planning, community input, and investment in Eastern Travis County. When it opens, services operated by Central Health-affiliated CommUnityCare Health Centers will deliver high-quality, coordinated care right in the neighborhood.

Residents will have access to adult primary care, dental services, an on-site pharmacy with drive-thru services, lab services, wellness and prevention programs, community resources, and coverage enrollment services. Our goal is to make it easier to get care early, stay healthy, and avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency room.

Before construction could begin, the Colony Park site required significant planning and coordination. How did Dunaway’s work on planning and preliminary engineering help move this project from concept to reality?

Dunaway’s field and design staff navigated the complexities of a challenging site with care and creativity. Their work resulted in innovative design solutions for site layout, grading, drainage, and utility delivery.

How does the Colony Park Health & Wellness Center align with Central Health’s broader strategy for expanding access to care

This Center directly supports Central Health’s broader strategy to build a health care system where care is close, connected, and easier to use. For years, Central Health and CommUnityCare Health Centers has worked alongside Colony Park residents to expand access in Northeast Austin. But the gap has been clear – too many families still have to leave their neighborhood for routine care, prescriptions, and basic health services.

This center closes that gap. It brings primary care, pharmacy, and support services into the community, strengthening the front door of the system so people can get care earlier and stay connected over time.

That’s exactly how our broader Central Health system works too – investing in local clinics, expanding access points, and coordinating care so patients don’t fall through the cracks. The Colony Park Health & Wellness Center is that strategy in action, meeting people where they are and making care part of everyday life.

As Austin Grows, So Does the Need for Accessible Healthcare

As Austin continues to grow, access to healthcare infrastructure will remain critical – particularly in historically underserved areas, like Northeast Austin. For decades, Colony Park residents and community leaders have advocated for essential neighborhood amenities, including local access to medical and wellness services. Slated to open in Spring 2027, the Colony Park Health & Wellness Center represents a meaningful investment in the area, bringing care closer to home and supporting long-term community well-being. 

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At Dunaway, we partner with communities and clients to deliver thoughtful, sustainable solutions that improve quality of life. From master planning to infrastructure and healthcare environments, our multidisciplinary team brings experience and insight to every project.