Balfour Beatty has marked a major milestone in the construction of South Carolina’s new psychiatric residential treatment facility for justice-involved youth with a topping out ceremony in Columbia, South Carolina. This achievement signifies the placement of the final steel beam and the substantial completion of the building’s structure.
Led by the South Carolina Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities’ Office of Mental Health (OMH), in partnership with LCK’s Construction Manager Agent Services, the project will serve youth committed to the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) who require intensive psychiatric care.
Once complete, the 24,000-square-foot, one-story facility will provide 24 beds and include state-of-the-art treatment spaces, educational areas, and secure residential accommodations. The design combines robust security features with a therapeutic environment to support recovery, growth, and reintegration into the community.
Construction began approximately ten months ago. As general contractor, Balfour Beatty is delivering comprehensive construction services across the design, build, operation, and maintenance phases. The company is working closely with OMH, DJJ, Recovery Solutions, and the design team to ensure that the facility meets the complex needs of youth in psychiatric care while implementing best practices in healthcare construction.
“This milestone represents significant progress in delivering this essential facility for the state,” said David Stanton, Balfour Beatty Vice President in the Carolinas. “Drawing on our deep experience in healthcare construction, we’re proud to collaborate with our partners to provide critical services for young people in our community.”
Dr. Robert Bank, Interim Director of the Office of Mental Health, emphasized the project’s broader mission: “The topping out of this facility marks an important step in our effort to provide appropriate care for youth in DJJ custody with serious psychiatric conditions. It reflects our ongoing commitment to rehabilitation and community reintegration.”
With structural and framing work now substantially complete, construction efforts are turning to the interior buildout and installation of specialized treatment areas. The facility is scheduled to be completed in late 2025 and will be operated by Recovery Solutions, offering vital mental health and rehabilitation services to youth across South Carolina.
