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County approves design phase and $7.8 million transfer for permanent sobering and crisis-stabilization center
Summary
Multnomah County commissioners voted to proceed with formal design of a permanent sobering and crisis stabilization center and approved a supplemental $7.8 million budget transfer to cover acquisition and preconstruction work for a site at 1901'1907 SE Grand Avenue.
Multnomah County commissioners voted to proceed with formal design of a permanent sobering and crisis stabilization center and approved a supplemental budget modification transferring $7,800,000 to begin acquisition, due diligence and design work.
The center is planned for 1901–1907 SE Grand Avenue. County staff said the state has allocated $25 million for the project and that roughly $6 million was already used to acquire the Grand Avenue building; the approved transfer moves $6 million for acquisition plus $1.8 million for due diligence, design, preconstruction and project management into a new capital fund.
County project managers told the board the acquired building required substantial renovation to meet structural, accessibility and code requirements for an institutional occupancy. The plan presented to commissioners includes 24/7 intake and triage; about 18 sobering stations; withdrawal-management beds (average stays of three to five days, up to 14 days); nursing and clinical spaces; a commercial kitchen and sheltering for clients when appropriate. The facility is intended to accept referrals from law enforcement and other first responders, and staff said outreach partners and peer organizations will be phased in as referral sources.
Facilities and construction staff presented a schematic cost estimate of roughly $29.8 million including hard construction, professional services, contingency and escalation. The estimate includes significant structural, façade and seismic work required by the building's occupancy and zoning; staff said about 20% of direct construction costs are related to the building envelope and structural upgrades. The county said the current state allocations do not fully cover the schematic estimate and that leaders will return to the board next spring with a guaranteed maximum price and a full funding plan.
Commissioners asked for clearer incorporation of findings from the temporary Pathway/Coordinated Care site into the permanent design (for example, storage/locker arrangements and client privacy), urged robust good-neighbor outreach in the Central Eastside, and requested continued review of potential cost and schedule savings (including whether LEED Gold requirements could be reconsidered because of renovation costs). Project staff said they would continue frequent constructability reviews with the CM/GC contractor, pursue early procurement strategies for long-lead items, and hold additional meetings with community stakeholders.
The board approved the design resolution and the budget transfer by roll-call vote. Staff said the county will continue to work with the city for permitting and with state licensing partners while the county completes design development and prepares to seek a construction GMP in spring 2026.
