Work starts on McHenry Co. mental health facility
The controversial expansion of the McHenry County Mental Health Board's headquarters in Crystal Lake moved forward Monday with county board members joining mental health board members and project leaders to break ground on the project that will add 22,000 square feet to the facility.
Board members convened briefly before the groundbreaking to approve bids on the project, which is now expected to come in under budget. In a 6 to 1 vote, the board approved a total bid of $3.03 million more than $95,000 below the board's budget.
The two-story expansion will add 22,169 square feet to the existing 8,067-square-foot facility at 620 Dakota St. Costs also include completing the northeast parking lot, extending the basement and upgrading the existing building.
The mental health board moved into the Dakota Street location in 2003 and filled out the space within two years. The board leased an additional 10,000 square foot site on Elm Street in McHenry.
The expansion came under fire from various social service agencies that receive funding from the mental health board. They feared the construction of a bigger facility would leave less room in the budget for their programs.
However, Sandy Lewis, executive director of the mental health board, said the expansion will accommodate a number of services at a central location.
“We currently have staff at two locations, so this will bring them home under one roof,” Lewis said. “But more importantly it will provide expansive space for organizations like NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness) of McHenry County and it will double the amount of community training space that is much needed. We anticipate a great deal of use by the community.”
The Rev. Jim Swarthout of St Paul's Episcopal Church in McHenry, who is a member of the mental health board, said the facility will provide a great tool for the social workers and psychologists who meet residents on a daily basis.
“As a priest and social worker, I see a consistent need in the community and, as I see it, hope is the anchor of this facility,” Swarthout said. “We need to offer more support services than ever.”
Work on the project is expected to begin in the next two weeks.
Last month, the board rejected bids because they exceeded the mental health board's proposed $3.1 million budget.
Funding for the project comes from the federal stimulus package with the McHenry County Board using its bonding authority to borrow $4 million, which is will pass to the mental health board. The mental health board will repay the county for the loan.