MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY UPGRADES

Jul 23

PURPOSE

Renovation of a 16,660 SF mental health facility at the Illiana VA Medical Center in Danville, IL. After sitting vacant for three years due to design and construction deficiencies, the building required comprehensive renovation to meet VA safety and functionality standards. Originally constructed between 2019 and 2021, the facility was designed for at-risk Veterans requiring monitored inpatient care but could not open because of safety concerns. Richard transformed the unused building into a fully operational, secure treatment center that prioritizes patient safety and therapeutic design. The renovation included extensive anti-ligature upgrades across all patient areas, modernization of building systems, and integration of specialized behavioral health infrastructure, creating a safe, healing space that now serves Veterans across western and central Illinois and eastern Indiana with 22 inpatient beds.

PROJECT CHALLENGES

Safety first: Every patient area required thorough evaluation and modification to remove potential self-harm hazards while maintaining a calming, therapeutic atmosphere.

Specialized requirements: Conventional materials and fixtures could not be used. The team sourced and installed custom anti-ligature components, including specialized covers for fire alarms, card readers, and medical systems to ensure safety and functionality.

System integration: The renovation required aligning behavioral health design features with fire protection, ADA compliance, and security systems through close coordination with VA Engineering and Mental Health staff.

PROJECT OUTCOMES

Reactivated facility: After four years of vacancy, the Illiana VA Medical Center’s new mental health unit reopened on time and on budget, restoring a vital care resource for at-risk Veterans.

Enhanced safety: The building now provides a secure environment with fully integrated anti-ligature design including custom plumbing fixtures, tamper-resistant fasteners, and behavioral health signage throughout patient care areas.

Operational excellence: Richard delivered the project one month ahead of the revised completion date and identified $56,868 in cost savings through proactive value engineering and efficient project coordination.