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County officials give construction update on Shelby County Mental Health Safety and Justice Center
Summary
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Dorcas Young Griffin and Public Works Director Cliff Norville told commissioners the project is at 30% design, a demolition is scheduled, and construction is planned from mid‑2025 with substantial completion targeted for December 2026. Griffin said additional funding will be needed for operations.
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Dorcas Young Griffin told the committee the Shelby County Mental Health Safety and Justice Center is moving forward in design and early site work. She said previous resolutions funded a $2.5 million design phase and a construction‑manager‑at‑risk contract of about $18.6 million, and staff are working with the CMAR and designer to keep estimates and site work aligned.
"I am joined here by our public works director Cliff Norville and we just wanted to take this time this morning to give you an update on the status of the Shelby County Mental Health Safety and Justice Center," Griffin said. Cliff Norville, Public Works director, presented conceptual elevations and said the project team has issued an early‑release package for earthwork, with ABES brought on for that work.
Norville described three primary building zones — public entry/administration, infrastructure and services (food service, laundry, HVAC), and residential treatment pods — and confirmed the design target remains 60 beds. He said the residential pods will house about 14–16 people each and include exterior courtyard space and rooms for attorney consultations and treatment sessions.
On schedule, Norville said the next early‑release package is planned for September 2025; construction was discussed to start in July 2025 with substantial completion currently estimated for December 2026. Griffin acknowledged the facility is funded largely with ARPA dollars for construction but said the county has not finalized operational costs.
"It will take an additional investment to run the facility, but I am not clear on what that is at this point," Griffin said, adding that operations planning will be a near‑term focus as the construction schedule advances.
