At the Thursday, Feb. 6, regular board meeting, the Guilford County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an amendment of a design-build contract Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) Change Order with Blum Construction of $4,572,724 for the Lees Chapel Residential Treatment Center project. A GMP is a construction contract with a set maximum cost.
The Lees Chapel Residential Treatment Center is part of the county’s strategic plan to increase behavioral health services offered across Guilford County, especially those in recovery and experiencing housing insecurity. Currently, the county supports a range of services and providers including overdose treatment through the county’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS), harm reduction by Guilford County Solution to the Opioid Problem (GCSTOP), and crisis services and short-term, facility-based recovery at the Guilford County Behavioral Health Center. With the 54-bed facility, the county will offer mid- and long-term residential recovery services including access to Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT).
Blum successfully completed the design and bid processes required to establish the GMP. The work involves regulatory renovations to accommodate the facility’s needs for treating substance use disorder. Planned improvements include a new standby generator, roof replacement, new windows, updated lighting, new flooring, HVAC system, interior paint, and space reconfiguration to support the treatment center’s operational needs.
In addition to the GMP, the Board of Commissioners’ approval also includes for the county to supply items needed for the facility, such as IT support and furniture. Combined, the center’s total renovation cost is set for $5,451,014. The project is funded using a combination of opioid settlement funds.
"We're excited to move forward with the Lees Chapel Residential Treatment Center," said Guilford County Board of Commissioners Chair Melvin "Skip" Alston. "This facility is a game-changer for behavioral health services in our community. It’s about giving folks who are battling addiction a real chance at recovery with the long-term support they need. Addiction doesn’t discriminate — it touches people from all walks of life, including those struggling with homelessness. Creating a safe, stable environment where people can rebuild their lives and find independence is essential to building a stronger, healthier Guilford County for everyone. Because this issue doesn’t just touch Greensboro or High Point; but the entire county, it underscores the concept of One Guilford."
The renovation of the facility is scheduled to begin with demolition and construction activities in February continuing through September with the goal of completing the center by the end of 2025.
More information about the Lees Chapel Residential Recovery Center