North Carolina Construction News staff writer
Construction is moving ahead on a new behavioral health crisis diversion facility after the Orange County Board of County Commissioners approved a $22.9 million Guaranteed Maximum Price for the project.
The board approved the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) for construction during its June 16 business meeting, along with the facility’s final design and a contract amendment with Gilbane Construction Company.
The board also approved a $3.36 million budget amendment to provide additional funding for the project and authorized County Manager Travis Myren to execute the contract amendment and future project-related amendments within the approved budget.
Gilbane submitted a GMP of $22,906,906 after a competitive bidding process completed in April. County officials said the bids came in significantly below earlier estimates, creating enough savings to add several features to the project, including enhanced daylighting and solar installations.
“This approval represents a major step forward in Orange County’s efforts to provide accessible crisis and stabilization behavioral health services,” said Jean Hamilton, chair of the Orange County Board of Commissioners. “The crisis diversion facility will help connect residents experiencing mental health and substance use crises with the care they need in a therapeutic setting, reducing reliance on emergency departments and law enforcement responses.”
The facility has been in development since 2019 as the county works to expand access to behavioral health crisis services. CPL was selected as the project’s architecture firm in 2024, followed by the selection of Gilbane as construction manager-at-risk in 2025.
Construction is expected to begin in August at the site off Waterstone Drive in Hillsborough.
The facility will include a Behavioral Health Urgent Care unit serving people age 4 and older, as well as a 16-bed Facility Based Crisis unit for adults 18 and older who require longer-term stabilization.
Plans also call for a community peer living room, integrated discharge services and a behavioral health resources hub.
The total project budget, including land acquisition, design, professional services and construction, is now projected at $29.4 million. The additional $3.36 million approved through Budget Amendment #12-A includes $1.1 million from the Cardinal Reserve, following coordination with Alliance Health.
“This project reflects years of planning, collaboration, and commitment to addressing a critical community need,” Myren said. “The favorable bid results have allowed us to maximize the value of taxpayer investments while preserving important sustainability and wellness features that will benefit future facility users.”
County officials say the facility will provide a safe and supportive setting for people experiencing behavioral health crises while helping reduce pressure on hospitals, the detention centre, first responders and other community services.
Construction is expected to be completed in winter 2028, with the facility expected to begin operations in spring 2028.
Project timeline:
- GMP approved: June 2026
- Construction begins: August 2026
- Construction completed: Winter 2028
- Facility occupancy: Spring 2028
For more information, visit Orange County’s Crisis Diversion Facility page.