Board approves land acquisition for new Dayton behavioral health hospital after site-selection brief

The State Controlling Board approved the Department of Behavioral Health’s request to move forward with acquiring land for a new Dayton-area behavioral health hospital, with agency representatives describing a multi-site selection process and ongoing community meetings.

A department representative said the agency worked with the Department of Administrative Services and local officials to identify sites that met criteria including more than 90 acres, ready utility connections, and proximity to bus lines and highways; the Harrah Arena site in Montgomery County was selected as the preferred site. "Part of the reason we were looking for a size of land that was so large is so that we could make sure that we did have Buffer space between the hospital facility and the surrounding communities," the representative said.

Senator Lang and Senator Ingram pressed for details on green space and buffers and noted statewide demand for behavioral health services; the department said state hospital capacity was near 98% as of September 2025 with a wait list of more than 160 individuals, a justification the agency used for siting a new facility to serve Dayton and to relieve pressure on Columbus and Cincinnati hospitals. The board heard no objections and approved the item by voice consent.

Agency staff said they have held multiple meetings with City of Trotwood, Montgomery County and Harrison Township officials and plan additional community outreach as the project proceeds.