Lane County is moving forward with a regional behavioral health stabilization center that would provide crisis care for individuals facing mental‑health and addiction emergencies, keeping them out of emergency rooms and jails. The project, in development for more than a decade, hinges on Springfield’s approval of an annexation request for 18 acres adjacent to PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend.
Annexation request under review
The annexation would place the stabilization center and PeaceHealth’s planned 96‑bed behavioral health hospital on land off International Way east of Gateway Street. Under Oregon’s new House Bill 2005, the annexation is the only mechanism for the city to intervene, as the law allows stabilization centers to bypass traditional municipal zoning changes.
Springfield councilors have expressed mixed feelings. After an initial meeting on Sept. 8 that suggested a narrow interpretation of the city’s comprehensive plan, councilors continued deliberations in a Monday work session, indicating a willingness to discuss infrastructure criteria such as streets, storm‑water and transportation.
Mayor Sean VanGordon told Assistant City Attorney Kristina Kraaz the council wants to move forward with the next deliberation, noting the process may “harden up how we view the first one.” Councilors Kori Rodley and Michelle Webber voiced personal support, citing family experiences with severe depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts, and urging the council to consider the urgent need for care.
Economic and community impact
County Administrator Steve Mokrohisky highlighted that the combined PeaceHealth facility and stabilization center are projected to create 275 jobs paying an average of more than $100,000 annually. County Commissioner Laurie Trieger emphasized the importance of these economic benefits as a factor the council must weigh.
Lane County has already secured roughly $44 million for the project, spending $12 million since December 2021—mostly on land acquisition and professional services. The county continues to finalize construction costs, obtain a state license from the Oregon Health Authority, and work with Medicaid on billing codes.
Timeline pressures
PeaceHealth’s psychiatric hospital must be built by March 2029 to satisfy its certificate of need, according to chief administrative officer Alicia Beymer. The county hopes the annexation approval will keep the project on schedule.
While the council’s final decision remains pending, county officials remain cautiously optimistic, noting recent movement and the thoughtful consideration shown by council members.
Original reporting: Homepage – Lookout Eugene-Springfield — read the source article.
