Cowlitz County commissioners discuss private-sector plan for new mental‑health hospital and 16‑bed Charlie’s site

County officials and members of the public discussed private proposals to expand local behavioral‑health capacity, including a 16‑bed facility at the former Charlie’s building and a larger hospital at the end of Broadway, during a Tuesday morning Cowlitz County Board of Commissioners meeting.

County officials described the Charlie’s project as the likeliest to open first and said Emerald City and a separate operator are pursuing two different, linked projects: a smaller 16‑bed program at Charlie’s and a separate plan for the Broadway hospital. The county said it will assist with permitting and coordination but is not planning to provide direct financial subsidies to for‑profit operators.

The discussion matters because commissioners and local service providers expect both projects to affect referrals, workforce needs and bed availability for Cowlitz County residents. Commissioners said they are pursuing coordination with the Great Rivers Behavioral Health Organization to align referrals and service mixes if the Broadway plan proceeds.

At the meeting a county official who presented on the topic said: "They are very interested in that piece of property," referring to the hospital at the end of…