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County gives update on 85‑bed step‑down reentry facility at 1800 Orient Road
Summary
Hillsborough County staff reported construction progress on an 85‑bed step‑down facility at 1800 Orient Road intended to support individuals leaving detention with wraparound services; interiors are expected to be done in June and provider Phoenix House anticipates opening by late calendar year.
Kevin Wagner, speaking for Hillsborough County Healthcare Services, updated the council on the 1800 Orient Road step‑down facility, an 85‑bed reentry site intended to serve people leaving detention with counseling, health access and social‑services supports.
Wagner said the project—seven years in planning—will include 85 beds (10 for women and the remainder for men) and provide group counseling, wraparound services and links to healthcare for county healthcare plan members. “The interior construction is scheduled to finish in June,” Wagner said, and exterior work such as generator permitting is expected to finish by the end of the calendar year; the contracted service provider discussed is Phoenix House, which could open the facility between January and February after final county contracting.
Nut graf: County staff said the facility is intended to reduce recidivism among people with co‑occurring substance use and behavioral health needs by providing a community‑based step‑down option after detention, and that multiple service providers will collaborate rather than the site operating as an isolated program.
Council members welcomed the update and noted links between in‑jail treatment programs and the step‑down facility would be important to maintain continuity of care. Robert Parkinson, staff member, said county staff have already placed staff inside the jail to connect individuals to the county healthcare plan so they will be eligible for the step‑down program when released. Wagner said the county will present a service contract with the provider to the Board of County Commissioners; a grand opening for the council will be scheduled after construction completes.
Ending: County staff invited council members to a construction‑site tour and said they will schedule a grand opening and formal contract presentation to the Board of County Commissioners.
