Cowlitz County officials discuss private mental-health hospital proposal and 16‑bed Charlie’s site

County commissioners and residents discussed plans for two private behavioral‑health projects during the meeting: a multi‑level hospital proposed for the site at the end of Broadway and a smaller, 16‑bed program at the former Charlie’s site. County officials said they will help with permitting and coordination but do not plan to fund a private, for‑profit operator.

The conversation began during public comment, when a resident asked for “any updates on anything to do with mental health” and the county commissioner responding said he had met with potential operators and visited “the hospital there that’s for sale at the end of Broadway.” He said the group “are very interested in that piece of property” and that the intent is to use the hospital for “mental health, long term, substance abuse rehab” and possibly to “implement drug court into that so that they handle the drug court portion of it.”

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