Mayor Thomas Menino was on hand for this morning's official dedication of the William J. Walczak Health and Education Center—which houses elements of the health center and the Codman Academy Charter Public School—. A large crowd assembled in the building’s black-box theatre as Mayor Thomas M. Menino cut the ribbon and lavished much-deserved praise on Walczak, the center and the school.

The 34,000 square brick-and-stone building has transformed the corner of Norfolk and Epping Street. The $18 million project— boosted by nearly $8 million in federal stimulus dollars— gives Codman the capacity it needs to serve up to 30,000 patients per year. It also will allow Codman Academy— acclaimed for its academics and theatre/arts training— to grow and thrive.