A year ago, on Feb. 7, 2023, the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County (ADAMH) brought together more than 100 community partners to participate in the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Franklin County Crisis Care Center at 465 Harmon Ave.
Construction began soon after for the more than 70,000-square-foot- facility after years of planning and community input. When completed in spring 2025 it will serve as the central and preferred destination for adults experiencing a mental health or addiction-related crisis.
Here are some significant milestones that took place during the center’s first year of construction.
Crisis Care Center Exceeds Supplier Diversity Goal
In July, the crisis care center construction project exceeded its supplier diversity goal of 18% with 29.9% of all construction contracts, totaling $13 million, awarded to Small and Emerging Businesses Enterprises (SEBEs). Seventeen SEBEs are part of the project. Services they provide include concrete, masonry, plumbing and HVAC, drywall, electrical, fireproofing carpentry and trucking.
Read the vendor profile on Columbus Steel Erectors >>
Final Ceiling Beam Placed
In mid-July, members of the project team for the crisis care center and staff from ADAMH gathered to watch the final ceiling beam for the facility be put into place. Many partners stopped by the construction site in the weeks prior to sign this beam, a small way to commemorate the vast community support the project has received.
Jeffrey Family Gifts Crisis Care Center $2 Million
In August, the Jeffrey family made a $2 million commitment to the capital campaign in memory of parents Anne “Nancy” Kittredge Jeffrey and Robert H. “Tad” Jeffrey. The late Nancy Jeffrey was a long-time advocate and trailblazer for accessible community-based mental health services. She helped plant the seeds for what would eventually become the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County.
Read more about the Jeffrey family >>
Drone Footage Shows Exterior Progress
In September, drone footage showed that construction teams were making progress. Video captures the exterior framing of the adult mental health and addiction center.
View September drone footage >>
Crisis Care Center Met Capital Campaign Goal
In November, Columbus City Council approved an additional $1 million in capital funds for the construction of the adult-serving crisis care center. That commitment helped ADAMH and community stakeholders reach their capital campaign goal with $60.2 million raised to fully fund construction.
Since then, the project has continued to receive donations from the community with the latest financial gifts coming from Big Lots, United Healthcare and Humana.
View a full list of crisis care center funders >>
Interior Progress Underway, See Latest Exterior Drone Footage
At the one-year mark, interior progress is starting to take form. Wall framing throughout the entire facility is complete, and drywall is up in the first responder entrance, in-take and triage area and walk-in clinic. All major mechanical equipment – such as cooling towers, generators and hot water heaters – are in place, and window installation has begun. In December, the construction team captured the most recent drone footage of exterior progress.