Hammes celebrates the opening of the Franklin County Crisis Care Center in Columbus, Ohio

Milwaukee, WI, September 17, 2025 – Hammes, a national real estate consulting, development, investment and management firm, is proud to celebrate the opening of the Franklin County Crisis Care Center in Columbus, Ohio, which opened earlier this month. The milestone marks the culmination of a multi-year effort to address longstanding service gaps in behavioral health in Central Ohio.

This innovative 72,000-square-foot facility, which was funded by the Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County (ADAMH) and is operated by Recovery Innovations, provides comprehensive mental health and addiction crisis services. It serves as a centralized hub for individuals experiencing mental health or addiction crises, offering immediate, compassionate care through its “no-wrong-door” model. The center features a 24/7 urgent care walk-in clinic, a 23-hour observation unit, a 16-bed inpatient unit, substance use disorder treatment, medical and pharmacy services, family support and discharge planning and administrative and linkage services.

One of the facility’s hallmark features is its EmPATH (Emergency Psychiatric Assessment Treatment and Healing) unit, which provides a calm, supportive environment that diverts individuals in crisis away from emergency departments and into specialized psychiatric care. Open 24/7, the EmPATH unit offers rapid evaluations and stabilization in a therapeutic setting.

Hammes served as Franklin County’s project manager and owner’s representative for the project, guiding site validation, program development, design and construction planning, and stakeholder coordination. Hammes also led the selection of the architect, engineers, and construction manager. The architect on the project was NBBJ and the construction manager was Elford.

“This project exemplifies what is possible when government, healthcare, and community partners come together with a shared purpose,” said Adam Novak, Vice President of Hammes Healthcare. “We’re proud to have supported Franklin County and all stakeholders involved in this transformative project.”

Prior to the opening of the Franklin County Crisis Care Center, Franklin County had only 10 observation units. The new facility expands capacity to 60 units, significantly improving access to care for those in need.

The Franklin County Crisis Care Center has already attracted national recognition for its innovative approach to crisis response and community-based care, positioning Franklin County as a leader in behavioral health service delivery.