Lane County commissioners authorize purchase of Springfield site for stabilization center and 96‑bed psychiatric hospital

Lane County commissioners on July 29 authorized the county administrator to complete purchase of a parcel on International Way in Springfield for a co‑located Lane Stabilization Center and a proposed 96‑bed inpatient psychiatric hospital, a move county staff said is needed to advance the project and allow PeaceHealth to pursue a certificate of need for inpatient services.

The authorization, presented as board order 25‑07‑29‑08, came after staff summarized property due diligence — including a Phase I environmental site assessment, a threatened and endangered species review, geotechnical work, an ALTA/NSPS land survey and transportation and traffic analyses — and after public testimony from PeaceHealth clinicians and administrators urging swift approval. David Ward, Lane County capital planning and facilities manager, told the board staff found “no objections to the purchase of this property for the development of the lane stabilization center and Timber Springs inpatient facility.”

The project drew repeated public support from PeaceHealth staff. Joan Tompkins, director of behavioral health at PeaceHealth Medical Group, said the co‑located campus “won't be just a facility. It will be a lifeline,” and that colocating a stabilization center with an acute psychiatric hospital would “allow for seamless transitions between levels of care.” Emergency physician Sarah Coleman, representing Eugene Emergency Physicians, told commissioners she and emergency department staff “are begging you — we need help,” describing patients boarded for days or weeks in hospital EDs while awaiting behavioral‑health placement. Alicia Beamer, chief administrative officer at PeaceHealth RiverBend, said finalizing the land purchase would allow PeaceHealth to submit a letter of intent for a certificate of need and move the hospital proposal forward.

Commissioners said they weighed the urgent community need against local concerns raised by nearby residents and city officials. Several commissioners urged additional outreach to Springfield elected officials and neighbors before the project advances through later land‑use steps, and asked staff to continue coordinated work with Springfield staff. Commissioner Buck described the vote as an opportunity to “make a meaningful impact” for a regional facility; Vice Chair Seneca said she was “100% on board” while emphasizing the need for careful partnership with the City of Springfield. Chair Lavelle said she supported the project’s goals but dissented from approving the purchase that day, citing remaining neighborhood engagement and information needs: “I’m gonna have to not support this motion going forward,” she said on the dais.

Commissioner Trigger moved the order authorizing the purchase; Commissioner Buck seconded. Commissioners Trigger, Buck, Vice Chair Seneca and Commissioner Farr voted in favor; Chair Lavelle cast the lone no vote. Staff and PeaceHealth representatives told the board the county's due‑diligence deadline for depositing escrow funds is August 4 under the current purchase agreement but staff expected they could request a brief extension, and that completion of the purchase is a prerequisite for PeaceHealth to file for the certificate of need for the inpatient hospital.

Board and staff discussion focused on: the need for continued outreach to Springfield elected officials and neighbors; traffic and infrastructure coordination with the city and with ODOT on the Gateway Belt Line interchange; floodplain and FEMA considerations for the parcel and which portions would be subject to Springfield floodplain regulations; and a coordinated security and operations plan between PeaceHealth and service partners (Connections, LifePoint and the county). Anne Davies, assistant county counsel, told the board superseding action on the parcel would not remove the parcel from applicable floodplain regulations and that existing Springfield floodplain rules still apply.

PeaceHealth speakers described project benefits beyond behavioral‑health capacity: reduced ED boarding and faster connection to appropriate levels of care, better coordination with law enforcement and mobile crisis teams, and potential regional benefits for urban and rural residents. Cliff Harrell, manager of security services for PeaceHealth and former Lane County sheriff, urged approval and said the proposed location offered “easy accessibility and ability for both the stabilization center and the new psychiatric hospital to be colocated.”

The board authorized the county administrator to complete the purchase. Staff noted next steps include continuing the scheduled development information meeting with Springfield, addressing issues that arise in that process, and returning to the board with updates and any required agreements or memoranda of understanding.

The decision allows PeaceHealth to proceed with actions tied to ownership: after the county closes, PeaceHealth intends to submit a letter of intent for the hospital’s certificate of need and to continue coordination with community partners on design, security and operations. Commissioners and staff emphasized that additional land‑use approvals, annexation steps with Springfield and building permits remain to be completed before construction can begin.