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Diversion center funding rises; timeline delayed and Rockville permitting, MOU remain open
Summary
Committee concurred with increased funding and schedule changes for the Seven Locks diversion center and discussed an off‑site Picard Drive walk‑in unit; Rockville conditioned a building permit on an executed MOU and Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Stoddard is working with the city and neighbors to resolve outstanding permitting and community concerns.
Montgomery County staff told the Health and Human Services committee that the recommended six‑year CIP total for the diversion center is $25.3 million — a $2.3 million increase from the previous CIP — and that overall project expenditures rose $4.6 million, driven by additional design time and unanticipated utility and site conditions.
Staff said the primary facility is the Seven Locks Road site, with an integrated off‑site walk‑in stabilization unit on Picard Drive in Rockville to comply with a 2024 Code of Maryland regulation that requires a walk‑in site for minors and certain involuntary admissions. Design completion for Seven Locks is expected in spring 2026 and construction completion in winter 2028. Picard Drive renovations have been delayed by evolving Medicaid requirements and the unit may be closed for roughly five months during renovation.
On operations, committee members were told HHS plans to operate the Picard Drive stabilization unit directly, while the Seven Locks facility is expected to be run by an operator under contract with the county. Staff also said DGS has applied for permits in the City of Rockville and that the city conditioned the county’s building permit on execution of a memorandum of understanding; Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Stoddard is actively working with Rockville and neighborhood stakeholders to execute the MOU prior to occupancy.
Council Member Friedson criticized early executive branch communication with municipal partners and neighborhoods, saying "the communication just wasn't there with municipal partners in Rockville," and staff acknowledged that coordination has improved and that outreach and design adjustments were made in response to feedback. Staff emphasized ongoing community outreach, provided a link to a community meeting video, and noted that project updates are available on the county’s neighborhood projects page.
The committee was asked for and gave voice concurrence to proceed with the diversion center project; the transcript records the item moving forward "without objection."
