NM Greenlights $98M Mental Health Unit

The New Mexico Behavioral Health Institute (NMBHI) is gearing up to build a new $98 million forensics unit to better facilitate competency restoration services, a set of mental health interventions that restores a defendant’s competency to stand trial. 

The 115,000-square-foot facility will be located at 3695 Hot Springs Blvd. in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Studio Southwest Architects is designing the building, which is expected to break ground this October. Albuquerque Business First reports the current facility is located at the same site and should be demolished once the new center is built and occupied. A search for a contractor has not begun yet.

State capital outlay funds will finance the project. The facility, which is operated by the NMBHI, will employ 120 full-time workers. The original forensics unit was built in the early 1970s. The 116-bed facility consists of four inpatient psychiatric care units: acute care, continuing care, women’s care and maximum security. The complex is staffed 24 hours per day and is surrounded by a fence to help maintain security.

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