Monterey County outlines $172.5 million plan for local mental‑health rehabilitation centers; board orders outreach, pauses major design spending

Monterey County officials presented a status update Oct. 28 on Phase 1 of a planned County Health Services campus on Constitution Boulevard in Salinas, outlining a development that would add six 16‑bed mental health rehabilitation centers (MHRCs) and a separate support building intended for 24‑hour, licensed residential care for adults under LPS conservatorship.

“We are pleased to be able to come to you today with the first phase of developing that land to add critical services,” said Elsa Jimenez, Director of Health Services, introducing the proposal and noting the county’s aim to provide more local placements for residents who now are often sent out of county for higher‑acuity care.

The county’s behavioral health bureau chief, Melanie Rhodes, and capital projects staff said the preferred campus plan uses six separate 16‑bed buildings (allowing medical billing for each unit) plus a shared support building that includes an industrial kitchen, administrative offices and back‑of‑house mechanical systems. Luis Ochoa, capital improvement manager, described the site layout and a two‑part construction approach: Phase 1, part 1 would build three MHRC buildings and the support building plus off‑site infrastructure and circulation improvements; phase 1, part 2 would add the remaining three MHRC buildings.

Staff reported a professional estimate of $172,500,000 for the total Phase 1 project, including design, construction, 20%…