Lewis Gale Behavioral Health Hospital Moves Ahead
Lewis Gale aka HCA Healthcare received the go-ahead for a behavioral health hospital to be constructed at the end of Avery Row (Rt. 1400) in the Blue Ridge District. The Supervisors reviewed the application and approved it at the June 27, 2023 Board meeting. The meeting was held at the Botetourt County Administration Building at Greenfield in Amsterdam.
The proposed hospital would be located on 15 acres in the Joel C. Smith Industrial Park. The request was for a facility for up to 130 beds, or approximately 83,000 square feet. Initially, the facility would be built for 80 beds, or about 63,000 square feet.
The initial facility would have a staff of 108 people.
The hospital would provide in-patient and out-patient services. In-patient services include adolescent programs, adult programs, alcohol and drug treatment, and crisis evaluation.
According to materials submitted with the application, services would be provided for individuals aged 13 and older, and the average length of stay would be seven days.
Out-patient services would consist of 3 separate programs. One would be from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and the other two programs would be from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The out-patient programs average approximately 15 patients per day.
This facility would replace the Lewis Gale Behavioral Health facility in Salem. HCA representatives said that facility is outdated and does not adequately serve the needs of patients and staff.
The building would be a one-story structure and HCA officials said it meets Governor Glenn Youngkin’s request for additional mental health facilities in the state. Virginia ranks 34th in the nation in mental health care, an official said.
A traffic impact analysis recommended improvements to Avery Row to include widening and restriping the southbound Avery Row approach to provide a dedicated southbound left-turn lane, and extending
the eastbound left-turn land on U.S. 460 from 175 to 250 feet.
Information in the application indicated that a Roanoke County SMART SCALE project to improve the 460/220A intersection is underway. This project would redesign the intersection to provide a “Displaced Left Turn” concept, improving safety and efficiency on the corridor. An additional feature of this project is a connection from Kingsman Road to the subject site on Avery Row, providing access to turn right onto US 220A. This construction is expected to take place in 2027.
Several people spoke against the project, citing the proximity of nearby neighborhoods, concerns about transportation for patients coming and going, and drug use near or at the facility. — Anita Firebaugh, Special to The Botetourt Bee
