Collier County OKs $49.6 million guaranteed maximum price for behavioral health center after split vote

The Collier County Board of County Commissioners approved an amendment Wednesday to a construction management-at-risk contract that establishes a guaranteed maximum price of about $49.6 million for the Collier County Behavioral Health Center at the David Lawrence Center campus.

The vote was 3–2. Commissioner Locastro moved to approve the amendment; Commissioner Kowal seconded. Commissioners Saunders, Locastro and Kowal voted in favor; Commissioners McDaniel and Hall opposed.

County facilities executive director John Dunnek said the project has been before the board multiple times and that staff was presenting the final GMP amendment to begin construction. “To our estimate, this is the 17th time this project has been presented, over the past 7 years,” Dunnek told commissioners.

The project as presented will build an approximately 87‑bed facility intended to function as a central receiving facility for people detained under the state Baker Act and Marchman Act and to expand crisis mental‑health services in Collier County. Staff estimated construction will take about 22 months. The contract amendment includes a contractor overhead rate of 4.75 percent, a construction contingency and allowances of roughly $5 million combined, and liquidated damages set at $8,000 per day if deadlines are missed.

Scott Burgess, chief executive officer of the David Lawrence Center, which would operate the facility under a long‑term lease, said the center would lead fundraising for operations and equipment and that philanthropic and grant sources were being pursued. “We will lead the charge and will work tirelessly … to pursue every avenue of operational funding,” Burgess said, adding that naming‑rights philanthropy and program‑specific grants were among the options being pursued.

Ed Morton, chair of the David Lawrence Center board, said the organization already had raised more than $30 million toward its campaign. “As I stand here today, we have raised over $30,000,000,” Morton said, describing the board’s commitment to support the project and operations.

Commissioners who opposed the action said they supported the need for more mental‑health capacity but worried about the cost and the details of ongoing operations. Commissioner McDaniel said the per‑bed cost had increased substantially as the project’s size was reduced (the facility was previously proposed at higher bed counts) and pressed for clearer commitments on operational funding and long‑term maintenance. Commissioner Hall said he wanted stronger assurances before the county committed surtax proceeds to the current site arrangement.

Dunnek and staff told the board the construction funding will come from infrastructure surtax proceeds approved by voters starting in 2018 and expanded more recently; staff also estimated the county should begin setting aside about $460,000 a year to address long‑term capital replacement for major systems after the facility opens.

With the board’s approval the county will finalize required permits, acquire the site acreage, and trigger the long‑term lease with the David Lawrence Center. Construction would start after permits and closing. The David Lawrence Center will operate the facility under a lease the county described as part of the implementation steps.

Opponents asked that the item be postponed so neighbors and interested commissioners could take more time to examine alternatives and the operating plan. Supporters argued the county has been working toward this outcome for years and delaying would push the project further out while the community waits for the additional crisis capacity.

The board approved the contract amendment 3–2; staff said construction would move forward on the approved GMP once permits and closing are complete.