After 19 commission meetings dating back to 2021, Collier County Commissioners have approved the construction of a new mental health and addiction treatment facility, despite pushback from neighbors.
The David Lawrence Center’s new Central Receiving Facility will be built on a plot of land on Golden Gate Parkway, near Santa Barbara Boulevard. The facility will offer 87 beds for adults and children struggling with addiction and mental health issues.
Combined with the current David Lawrence facility located just down the road, the organization will soon have a total of 120 beds.
But not everyone is on board with the expansion.
“I am, as well as our neighborhood, our community and taxpayers are very disappointed in the outcome today,” said Penelope Hayes, who lives in the neighborhood directly behind the property.
Hayes and other neighbors have been vocal about their concerns, pointing to safety and past experiences with patients from the existing facility.
“We have past experience with the David Lawrence Center already being in our neighborhood,” Hayes said. “There's been elopements of their patients in our neighborhood for years now. Noise and various issues that we just don't feel that we have the peace of mind and safety that we should have in the neighborhood.”
Beyond safety concerns, cost has also been a big concern.
When the project was first introduced, the estimated price tag was $25 million. David Lawrence Center now says that number has climbed to $56 million. The organization attributes the increase to inflation and higher construction costs tied to supply chain and labor issues since the pandemic.
Under Florida law, counties are required to pay 25% of the cost for community alcohol and mental health services.
“This particular deal has morphed into something not good,” said Collier County Commissioner Chris Hall, who voted against the project. “The voters agreed to spend surtax money for this very single purpose. But what they agreed to was $25 million.”
Despite the opposition, the plan passed in a 3-2 vote.
“Collier County deserves it. The juveniles in Collier County deserve it,” said Commissioner Daniel Kowal.
Supporters say the need is urgent.
“Although I think we have to look at the big picture,” said Father Michael Orsi, who spoke at the commission meeting. “Big picture is we can't kick the can down the road anymore, OK? We are in a mental health crisis in our country and in this country.”
Following the vote, David Lawrence Center CEO Scott Burgess said construction will now begin, and they expect the new facility to open in about 18 months.
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