Facility-Based Crisis Center at 722 East Union Street
Burke County
Summary
The county is buying a Morganton property and spending $6.5 million in Partners Health Management grant funds to create a 16-bed crisis center for adults in mental health or substance use crises — a place to stabilize instead of the ER or jail. A private operator will run it; no county tax dollars are involved.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 6
- Last 30 days
- 0
Rising — discussed at 3 meetings since Sep 8, 2026, up from 1 in the two months before.
Impact analysis
$6.5 million, all from Partners grant funds — no local match or county dollars.
Adults in behavioral health or substance use crises in Burke County, plus families and first responders who currently lack a clear point of entry into treatment.
Mentions & discussions (6)
Board of Commissioners (Regular) - Sep 21, 2026
A $6.5 million state grant will fund a behavioral health crisis center, with Phoenix Counseling Center selected as clinical advisor and opening targeted for 2028.
Opioid Advisory Committee - Sep 15, 2026
The county picked Phoenix Counseling Center as the recommended provider consultant for a six-bed crisis stabilization center, funded by a $6.5 million state grant and targeted to open in 2028. The recommendation goes to the Board of Commissioners on September 21.
Board of Commissioners Pre-Agenda Meeting - Sep 8, 2026
The 16-bed crisis center project is moving into design; a provider consultant will be picked from bids that just closed, with a recommendation due September 21.
Board of Commissioners (Regular) - Jul 20, 2026
The county is converting a building at 722 East Union Street into a 16-bed crisis stabilization and detox center to keep people out of emergency rooms and jail. Hospital data showed over 1,000 behavioral health ED visits and 33,000 hours of boarding in a year. The board picked Holland and Hamric Architects to design it, targeting a September 2028 opening.
Opioid Advisory Committee - Mar 17, 2026
The county bought the old NC Works building on Union Street to turn into a 16-bed crisis center with detox and behavioral health urgent care. It'll give police and EMS somewhere to take people in crisis other than the ER or jail.
Board of Commissioners Pre-Agenda Meeting - Mar 2, 2026
The county is buying a Morganton property and spending $6.5 million in Partners Health Management grant funds to create a 16-bed crisis center for adults in mental health or substance use crises — a place to stabilize instead of the ER or jail. A private operator will run it; no county tax dollars are involved.
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