Fulton County approves state-funded second behavioral health crisis center for North Fulton

The Board approved a contract to partner with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities to build a second behavioral health crisis center in North Fulton.

Presenters described the planned facility adjacent to HHS North at 4700 Northpointe Parkway: approximately 24 crisis stabilization beds, 16 temporary observation positions (mix of chairs and beds), and a 24/7 walk-in crisis services center. Latrina Foster and county health staff said the state approved conceptual drawings in March 2026 and provided design recommendations in June; the county expects to finalize schematics by September 2026 and to issue a design-build RFP by September/October, with construction notice-to-proceed in January 2027 and substantial completion anticipated in early 2029.

Funding: the state will provide annual contract funding of $9.4 million; total project cost is projected at about $24 million. County finance staff outlined a drawdown-bond plan with the Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority to provide interim construction financing because the state's funding will be drawn down monthly. Board members praised staff and partners for securing state support and asked that equitable county service distribution continue, including follow-on planning for South Fulton programming.

Outcome: The board voted to approve the contract and directed staff/finance to bring the proposed financing (drawdown bond) back for formal approval on August 19. Staff will continue design and permitting work and keep the board updated as the project advances.

Context: The county's first center at Oak Hill has been in operation for over a year and served roughly 1,300 constituents in its first year; the new center aims to expand access and reduce jail bookings and emergency-department use for behavioral-health crises.

Outcome: Motion to approve passed unanimously; staff to return with financing resolution.