City of Lowell Health Department relocates

LOWELL – To have a more centralized location downtown, the city Health Department has completed its move to a new office downtown.

Phil Geoffroy, executive assistant of communications for City Manager Eileen Donoghue, confirmed the department completed its move from 341 Pine St. to the third and fourth floor offices on 107 Merrimack St. this past weekend.

The move to the nearly 10,000 square foot space is meant to improve city residents’ accessibility to the department’s services. This includes new clinic space for immunizations, screenings, health promotion and educational services.

“The advantages provided by our new location at 107 Merrimack St. will allow the Health Department to expand our services and better fulfill our mission of improving the health and well-being of Lowell residents through effective public health strategies,” Joanne Belanger, the city’s director of health and human services, said in a release. “Our proximity to other important services, including the Lowell Public Schools Family Resource Center, and the addition of dedicated clinic space will be great assets to the Department.”

Plans for the move were kicked-off by a motion passed by the City Council and were then finalized last year. Geoffroy added that the department is not sure what the old location on Pine St. will become, thought it could be used for public safety departments like police or fire. Those entering the Merrimack Street location should do so through the main door to the right of the MassHire Lowell Career Center and then use the elevator in the lobby to get to the fourth floor.

Though with the coronavirus pandemic still going on, the department is offering limited public hours on Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The department is still offering services ranging from communicable disease management to unwanted medication and sharps disposal to body art and massage permitting.