Mental Health Center Of Denver Acquires Building For Future Adult Services Recovery Center

MHCD Selects Davis Partnership As Architect for Renovation of Former CU Health Sciences Building

Denver -- February 16, 2011 – The Mental Health Center of Denver (MHCD) has announced the acquisition of a new building, as well as the selection of a project architect to design a green and sustainable renovation of the property. MHCD’s board of directors approved the $3.5M purchase in late December 2010 of the 75,000 sq. ft. building at 4455 E. 12th Ave., located at 12th Ave. between Birch and Clermont. MHCD is planning an extensive renovation of the building, which was built in 1952 as the Mt. Airy Psychiatric Hospital, and then in 1989, the University of Colorado purchased the property, that became known as the North Pavilion.

The new building will become Denver’s landmark center for recovery based on MHCD’s belief that people can, and do, recover from mental illness and will become the organization’s flagship adult services clinic by consolidating the resources of other smaller clinics in the surrounding community. This will allow MHCD to expand other needed services, such as providing more youth and family service clinics in the metro area. The organization estimates the new building will help to close the service-to-needs gap, whereas currently the ratio is for every one new consumer MHCD accepts it has to turn away two people.

“The acquisition of this building marks a major milestone in becoming one step closer to helping MHCD achieve its vision of being able to serve all the needs of those in our community suffering with mental illness,” said Dr. Carl Clark, CEO of MHCD. “We have doubled the numbers of those served in the past five years, but we have not doubled the space available, which is why purchase of this building is so important. We are so proud to be able to provide this new space, which will allow an expanded level of treatment and care and greater focus on recovery. Recovery can mean different things to different people, but for most it means regaining control of one’s life and being able to set and achieve personal goals for fulfillment. MHCD is the national leader in recovery-focused care, and acquisition of this new space will help us do an even better job of that with even more people in our community,” he added.

After an extensive review process, on February 14 MHCD selected Davis Partnership as the project architect to design the building’s renovation. Both the interior and exterior of the building will be renovated with a sustainable design along with parking and landscape improvements. Having set the strategic goal of becoming the greenest mental health center in the nation, MHCD was recently awarded the Colorado Environmental Leadership Program Bronze Award for leadership in social responsibility and its efforts to make Colorado a greener place. The renovation is expected to begin in July 2011 with completion anticipated within a year’s time by July 2012. The cost of the renovation is budgeted at $11.1 million. City Projects, Inc. has worked with MHCD since the early planning stages of this project and will continue through construction as the Owner’s Representative.

“Davis Partnership is extremely excited to be involved with such a respected organization and we embrace MHCD’s vision and goals for recovery. We look forward to renovating the North Pavilion Building to foster the well being and recovery of all those who will use the new facility and we believe we can assist this vision by providing a place that is warm and inviting,” said Scott Nevin, AIA, Principal in Charge at Davis Partnership.

“We believe we have chosen the ideal architectural firm to partner with to help us transform this space into a state-of-the-art recovery center for adults,” added Dr. Clark. “This site was strategically chosen because of its centralized location and public transportation access to the Colfax and Colorado Blvd. corridors. We believe the location of this landmark recovery center will allow us to better serve more people in need of these critical services, due to greater accessibility and the ability to provide more integrated health care services under one roof.”

MHCD is known nationally for its successful groundbreaking approach to mental health treatment. At MHCD, those living with a mental illness are involved in shaping their own recovery and given the chance to regain control of their lives. Five years ago, MHCD leadership made a commitment to double the number of people served in order to provide needed mental health care for the Denver community. MHCD achieved that goal, but finds that the need is still far greater than its capacity to provide services, especially for adults living with a mental illness. To continue its commitment to providing service to everyone who needs it, the Mental Health Center of Denver is committed to increasing its capacity in serving adults.

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About Mental Health Center of Denver

The Mental Health Center of Denver (MHCD) is a private, not-for-profit, 501 (c) (3), community mental health center, providing treatment and prevention services to the residents of the City and County of Denver since its founding in 1989. MHCD believes that people can, and do, recover from mental illness and that treatment works and improves the lives of people of all ages. Through more than 35 community sites, mental health providers in 18 Denver public schools, collaborations with community partners and home-based outreach, MHCD provides a comprehensive, innovative and accessible array of mental health and substance abuse services to over 15,000 children, families and adults annually.

About Davis Partnership Architects

Headquartered in Denver’s lower downtown with a branch office in Edwards, Colo., the firm’s depth of multi-disciplinary experience over the last 115 years has shaped many of our region’s most prominent institutional, civic and cultural landmarks, as well as some of the most respected healthcare and research facilities in the nation. As one of the most influential architectural firms in the Rocky Mountain region, Davis Partnership Architects is committed to delivering unparalleled client service, and thoughtful elegant solutions.

About City Projects, Inc.

City Projects, Inc. provides real estate consulting and project management services for nonprofits in healthcare, human services, and community development. Working along the Front Range, City Projects understands the unique needs of nonprofits and the impact real estate can have on an organization’s mission, providing the opportunity to expand programs and services, energize fundraising efforts, and better provide for staff and those served.

For more information contact Ric Durity, Director of Development, at richard.durity@mhcd.org or 303-504-6715.