Child and adolescent psychiatric facility to break ground in east Charlotte
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Rendering: Courtesy of Katie Blessing Center
A child and adolescent psychiatric facility will break ground in east Charlotte on April 22.
Why it matters: The Katie Blessing Center, will be the first of its kind in North Carolina, according to a press release.
What to expect: The 64,000-square-foot facility at 5516 Central Ave. will be completed in phases.
- Phase 1 includes renovating the existing facility and will open in 2026. It'll offer behavioral health urgent care, inpatient care, telehealth, indoor recreation and an outdoor courtyard.
- Phase 2 will add additional space to the existing building and is expected to open in 2027. The additional space will allow for more beds to meet requirements for acute inpatient and Psychiatric Residential Treatment.
- Phase 3, opening TBD, will include more beds and therapy spaces, and an indoor gymnasium.
- Programs will feature various forms of therapy, such as art, horticulture, music, recreational, exercise and animal therapy. There will also be education and tutoring, emphasis on nutrition, yoga and mindfulness, plus peer and family support.
By the numbers: More than $30 million has been raised for the project from private funding, state and local contributions.
What they're saying: "Our goal is that in less than a year from now, any child in the state facing a mental wellness challenge, along with families unsure of how to support them, can find the help they need with us," Katie Blessing Center founder Michael Estramonte said in a statement.
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