The Board of Commissioners on Thursday authorized the Department of County Assets to spend up to $2.2 million for early design and pre-construction costs for a project that will bring shelter, supportive housing and a day center to downtown Portland to support people experiencing homelessness and behavioral health issues.
The County purchased 333 S.W. Park Ave. and an adjacent parking lot on S.W. Oak Street in January for a Behavioral Health Resource Center. The Board also set aside $10.95 million in the fiscal year 2020 adopted budget to support the project.
Earlier this fall, the Board approved preliminary plans for the renovation, estimated to cost $15 million to $20 million. Schematic and design development, pre-construction, and early construction were estimated to cost a total of $2.2 million.
Thursday’s vote moves $2.2 million from the General Fund to a new Behavioral Health Resource Center Capital Fund, specifically for the project. The remaining General Fund contingency balance specified for the Center will be $8.75 million.
“Separating out the Behavioral Health Resource Center project costs in a new fund will create greater transparency in tracking capital costs and resources associated with the project,” Senior Budget Analyst Althea Gregory said.
Establishing a separate fund is the same process the County has used to track spending on the McCoy Health Department Headquarters and Central Courthouse.