The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is purchasing the SSM Health facility on Southwest 59th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue for $60 million to replace Griffin Memorial Hospital, funded by ARPA dollars. >> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel”This will allow us to move Griffin Memorial Hospital to a more modern facility, and cost-effective operations,” said Jennifer Hogan, the department’s director of communications.The investment includes $18.5 million for the property and $41.5 million for upgrades and renovations. “This new facility will enable us to expand. We’re in the design phase right now,” Hogan said.The move will transfer 120 beds from Griffin Memorial in Norman to the new location, which is considered more cost-effective. “By purchasing the SSM Health hospital, we’re spending about half of what we would’ve spent to build a new facility,” Hogan said.Initially, the department planned to build the Donahue Center to replace Griffin Memorial, but those plans were abandoned due to rising costs. Oklahoma County had provided federal dollars for the Donahue project, but since it never materialized, the county requested the funds back and is still waiting. Recently, the department cut over 300 contracts amid a budget shortfall, but they clarified that these cuts are not related to funding the new project. “This project is funded with federal ARPA dollars, these funds were given out to states and cities after the pandemic to help with the cost of the impact from the pandemic,” Hogan said.Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.Renovations will occur in phases, with the hope of completing phase one by the end of this year and transferring at least 32 patients.Department officials released a Q&A about the purchase:Additional information regarding the SSM Health complex purchaseFor more than 100 years, Griffin Memorial Hospital has served Oklahomans impacted by mental illness. The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) is moving operations to a newer, modern facility to improve care, increase efficiency, and strengthen Oklahoma’s behavioral health system.Facility purchaseODMHSAS has reached an agreement to purchase SSM Health’s Oklahoma City hospital campus at 2129 SW 59th Street, a 191,324-square-foot facility (Main complex – 169,452 sq. ft.; Annex – 21,872 sq. ft.). This will allow Griffin Memorial Hospital operations to move to a modern facility that is more cost-effective to maintain.The total investment is $60 million: $18.5 million for the purchase and $41.5 million for upgrades and renovations. Funding comes from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), saving taxpayers money.This purchase also resolves the previous Donahue Behavioral Health Hospital project, which was canceled earlier this year due to rising construction costs. The original $10 million investment for Donahue, contributed by independent and government entities, is actively being addressed.Transition and timelineRenovations will occur in phases to ensure patients and staff can move without disrupting care. Work on the Annex building will begin first, with completion expected by December 2025, at which time 32 beds from Griffin Memorial Hospital will move to the former SSM facility. The facility will initially serve adults, with potential adjustments based on future needs. Additional phases of renovation and transition will follow.The final sale of the SSM Health facility is expected this winter. Updates on future renovations and operations will be provided as plans progress.FAQ Q: Is ODMHSAS moving Griffin Memorial Hospital?A: We have identified a new location for Griffin Memorial Hospital. ODMHSAS has leased an SSM Health complex, including an Annex building, located at 2129 S.W. 59th Street, to begin necessary renovations that will support our transition planning.Q: Are you buying the entire St. Anthony campus?A: We have reached an agreement with SSM Health to purchase the entire campus and are in the process of completing the transaction. Our goal is to ensure any investment of taxpayer dollars supports a long-term, modern solution for behavioral health treatment in Oklahoma.Q: How many square feet is the hospital?A: The hospital complex includes a main complex, annex and warehouse. The main complex and annex total 191,324-square-feet (Main complex – 169,452 sq. ft.; Annex – 21,872 sq. ft.)Q: Why are you replacing Griffin Memorial Hospital?A: Griffin Memorial has served Oklahomans for more than a century, but its needs have outgrown its facilities. We are striving towards creating a modern facility that better supports Oklahoma’s behavioral health system.Q: When does the department expect the sale to go through, and what will the next steps be following the purchase?A: The sale is expected to go through at the end of this year. Work will begin on the Annex building shortly after, with completion expected by December 2025, at which time 32 beds from Griffin Memorial Hospital will move to the former SSM facility. Additional phases of renovation and transition will follow and updates will be provided as plans progress.Q: Does this purchase replace the Donahue effort?A: Yes, we are using ARPA funds that were originally designated for Donahue.Q: How many beds does Griffin Memorial Hospital have? Will this new property increase capacity? A: Griffin Memorial Hospital has 120 beds. Our new facility is expected to increase capacity. Details will be forthcoming as renovations continue. Q: Will any beds be reserved for competency restoration services?A: The first phase of this project will be to renovate an Annex building to move 32 beds from Griffin Memorial Hospital for adult inpatient care. More information will be provided as future plans are finalized for the rest of the complex.Q: When will you announce more details?A: We expect to share additional information soon.Q: Are you selling the Griffin Memorial property?A: Once our transition is complete, we will move forward with the selling of the Griffin Memorial property through the appropriate state processes.Top HeadlinesOklahoma inmate Tremane Wood found unresponsive after clemencyStarbucks workers kick off 65-store US strike on company’s busy Red Cup DayTwo hospitalized after separate shootings overnight in northwest Oklahoma CityEpstein emails reveal enduring ties with influential figures even after his sex crime conviction34 hospitalized, several in critical condition after ammonia leak prompts evacuations in Weatherford
The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services is purchasing the SSM Health facility on Southwest 59th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue for $60 million to replace Griffin Memorial Hospital, funded by ARPA dollars.
>> Download the KOCO 5 app | Subscribe to KOCO 5’s YouTube channel
“This will allow us to move Griffin Memorial Hospital to a more modern facility, and cost-effective operations,” said Jennifer Hogan, the department’s director of communications.
The investment includes $18.5 million for the property and $41.5 million for upgrades and renovations.
“This new facility will enable us to expand. We’re in the design phase right now,” Hogan said.
The move will transfer 120 beds from Griffin Memorial in Norman to the new location, which is considered more cost-effective.
“By purchasing the SSM Health hospital, we’re spending about half of what we would’ve spent to build a new facility,” Hogan said.
Initially, the department planned to build the Donahue Center to replace Griffin Memorial, but those plans were abandoned due to rising costs. Oklahoma County had provided federal dollars for the Donahue project, but since it never materialized, the county requested the funds back and is still waiting.
Recently, the department cut over 300 contracts amid a budget shortfall, but they clarified that these cuts are not related to funding the new project.
“This project is funded with federal ARPA dollars, these funds were given out to states and cities after the pandemic to help with the cost of the impact from the pandemic,” Hogan said.
Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.
Renovations will occur in phases, with the hope of completing phase one by the end of this year and transferring at least 32 patients.
Department officials released a Q&A about the purchase:
Additional information regarding the SSM Health complex purchase
For more than 100 years, Griffin Memorial Hospital has served Oklahomans impacted by mental illness. The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) is moving operations to a newer, modern facility to improve care, increase efficiency, and strengthen Oklahoma’s behavioral health system.
Facility purchase
ODMHSAS has reached an agreement to purchase SSM Health’s Oklahoma City hospital campus at 2129 SW 59th Street, a 191,324-square-foot facility (Main complex – 169,452 sq. ft.; Annex – 21,872 sq. ft.). This will allow Griffin Memorial Hospital operations to move to a modern facility that is more cost-effective to maintain.
The total investment is $60 million: $18.5 million for the purchase and $41.5 million for upgrades and renovations. Funding comes from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), saving taxpayers money.
This purchase also resolves the previous Donahue Behavioral Health Hospital project, which was canceled earlier this year due to rising construction costs. The original $10 million investment for Donahue, contributed by independent and government entities, is actively being addressed.
Transition and timeline
Renovations will occur in phases to ensure patients and staff can move without disrupting care. Work on the Annex building will begin first, with completion expected by December 2025, at which time 32 beds from Griffin Memorial Hospital will move to the former SSM facility. The facility will initially serve adults, with potential adjustments based on future needs. Additional phases of renovation and transition will follow.
The final sale of the SSM Health facility is expected this winter. Updates on future renovations and operations will be provided as plans progress.
FAQ
Q: Is ODMHSAS moving Griffin Memorial Hospital?
A: We have identified a new location for Griffin Memorial Hospital. ODMHSAS has leased an SSM Health complex, including an Annex building, located at 2129 S.W. 59th Street, to begin necessary renovations that will support our transition planning.
Q: Are you buying the entire St. Anthony campus?
A: We have reached an agreement with SSM Health to purchase the entire campus and are in the process of completing the transaction. Our goal is to ensure any investment of taxpayer dollars supports a long-term, modern solution for behavioral health treatment in Oklahoma.
Q: How many square feet is the hospital?
A: The hospital complex includes a main complex, annex and warehouse. The main complex and annex total 191,324-square-feet (Main complex – 169,452 sq. ft.; Annex – 21,872 sq. ft.)
Q: Why are you replacing Griffin Memorial Hospital?
A: Griffin Memorial has served Oklahomans for more than a century, but its needs have outgrown its facilities. We are striving towards creating a modern facility that better supports Oklahoma’s behavioral health system.
Q: When does the department expect the sale to go through, and what will the next steps be following the purchase?
A: The sale is expected to go through at the end of this year. Work will begin on the Annex building shortly after, with completion expected by December 2025, at which time 32 beds from Griffin Memorial Hospital will move to the former SSM facility. Additional phases of renovation and transition will follow and updates will be provided as plans progress.
Q: Does this purchase replace the Donahue effort?
A: Yes, we are using ARPA funds that were originally designated for Donahue.
Q: How many beds does Griffin Memorial Hospital have? Will this new property increase capacity?
A: Griffin Memorial Hospital has 120 beds. Our new facility is expected to increase capacity. Details will be forthcoming as renovations continue.
Q: Will any beds be reserved for competency restoration services?
A: The first phase of this project will be to renovate an Annex building to move 32 beds from Griffin Memorial Hospital for adult inpatient care. More information will be provided as future plans are finalized for the rest of the complex.
Q: When will you announce more details?
A: We expect to share additional information soon.
Q: Are you selling the Griffin Memorial property?
A: Once our transition is complete, we will move forward with the selling of the Griffin Memorial property through the appropriate state processes.
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