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| Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the planned construction of a $325 million psychiatric hospital to replace the Hawthorn Center in Northville and Walter P. Reuther Hospital in Westland. |
Funding for the new behavioral health building was approved in the fiscal year 2023 state budget, according to Elizabeth Hertel, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) director. The facility will provide care for patients currently being served at both Hawthorn Center and Walter P. Reuther Psychiatric Hospital in Westland.
The two facilities serve nearly 200 patients and are among the five state inpatient psychiatric hospitals for individuals who have severe mental illness or intellectual and developmental disabilities. Hawthorn Center opened in 1956, while Walter Reuther began operations in 1979, and both have aging infrastructure which needs replacement, officials said.
“We are excited to be able to provide Michigan families in need of inpatient, behavioral health care a new state-of-the-art hospital in southeastern Michigan,” said Hertel. “The modern facility will allow MDHHS to continue providing quality, compassionate care to both children and adults. The consolidation of two of our current hospitals will also allow for efficiencies in administrative and support services while maintaining separate living and treatment facilities for adults and children.”
“Mental health, especially for children, is an urgent need in our region,” said Mark Abbo, Northville Township supervisor. “We are pleased to have the opportunity to work with the State of Michigan to develop a state-of-the-art facility to help those in our region in need get the highest possible mental health care.”
During construction of the new facility in Northville, staff and patients currently being cared for at Hawthorn Center will be moved to a separate unit at Walter P. Reuther Psychiatric Hospital to allow for the demolition of the current Hawthorn facility.
“DTMB is proud to be a part of this effort to improve the lives of Michiganders most in need of care,” said Michelle Lange, director of the Michigan Technology, Management and Budget department. “Our team of construction experts are eager to exercise their skills to ensure that the new psychiatric facility is completed on time and on budget and is a top-notch facility that meets the needs of both the patients and staff.”
While the new psychiatric complex will serve all ages, the hospitals will be distinct facilities with separate living and programmatic spaces for children and adults. The complex, however, will include shared administration and food service, officials said.
“The new facility is a perfect example of how the state is leveraging one-time resources for long-term strategic investments,” said State Budget Director Christopher Harkins. “We are thoughtfully and deliberately building the new facility on the current Hawthorn Center site, which is a convenient location for staff and patient families, and sustains a relationship with the community of Northville, which has long been a partner to the State of Michigan. This project will provide benefits for years into the future.”
Construction is expected to begin this fall and anticipated completion is in 2026.
