To: Board of Supervisors
From: Warren Lai, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Report Title: Advertisement and CEQA actions for the Brookside Mental Health Rehabilitation Center located at 847B Brookside Drive, Richmond, CA
?Recommendation of the County Administrator ? Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
(1) APPROVE the design and bid documents, including the plans and specifications, for the Brookside Mental Health Rehabilitation Center located at 847B Brookside Drive, Richmond, CA.
(2) AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director, or designee, to solicit bids to be received on or about November 12, 2025, and issue bid addenda, as needed, for clarification of the bid documents, provided the changes do not significantly increase the construction cost estimate.
(3) DIRECT the Clerk of the Board to publish, at least 14 calendar days before the bid opening date, the Notice to Contractors in accordance with Public Contract Code Section 22037, inviting bids for this project.
(4) DIRECT the Public Works Director, or designee, to send notices by email or fax and by U.S. Mail to the construction trade journals specified in Public Contract Code Section 22036 at least 15 calendar days before the bid opening.
(5) DETERMINE the project is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), pursuant to the California Welfare and Institutions Code Sec. ? 5960.3, because it meets the nine required categories under the statute.
(6) DIRECT the Director of the Department of Conservation and Development (DCD), or designee, to file a Notice of Exemption with the County Clerk, and the State Clearinghouse.
(7) AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director, or designee, to arrange payment of a $50 fee to the County Clerk for filing the Notice of Exemption.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Estimated construction cost $26,550,000. $18,602,356 (70%) will be funded through the Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) state grant and the remainder (30%) will be funded through Mental Health Realignment Fund.
BACKGROUND:
On July 12, 2022, the Board of Supervisors authorized Contra Costa Health - Behavioral Health (CCH-BH) to apply for grant funding through the Behavioral Health Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) to expand community-based treatment facilities.
On November 15, 2023, CCH-BH received a Conditional Notice of Award (NoA) of grant funds to renovate and convert a County-owned facility located at 847B Brookside Drive in Richmond into Contra Costa County's first in-County Mental Health Rehabilitation Center (MHRC). The facility will serve up to 45 clients in need of treatment in a secured setting as they recover from acute psychiatric episodes.
On June 25, 2024, the Board of Supervisors authorized the Health Services Director, or designee, to execute a project funding agreement with Advocates for Human Potential, in an amount not to exceed $18,602,365 through June 30, 2027, for the renovation of County-owned property located at 847B Brookside in Richmond and authorized the Public Works Director, or designee, to execute all property related transactions as required by the grant including, but not limited to, filing a Declaration of Restrictions for the portion of the County property to be improved by the granted funds.
CCH-BH proposes the retrofit and adaptive reuse of an existing one-story, wood-frame institutional building at the location identified above, for conversion into a 45-bed MHRC. The project consists of a full interior remodel and seismic upgrade of the approximately 20,000 square foot facility, which will provide 24/7 care and rehabilitation services for adult Medi-Cal beneficiaries with serious mental illness. The remodeled building will include care suites, sleeping rooms, restrooms, medical and wellness spaces, administrative offices, and recreational, dining, and amenity areas, all designed to meet applicable building and energy codes as well as anti-ligature requirements.
The scope includes new mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems; installation of fire sprinkler and alarm systems; access control and security systems; and replacement of all doors, windows, roofing, and interior/exterior finishes. Site work will include grading, utility trenching, and construction of bioretention planters. Additional improvements include a new emergency generator, accessible sidewalks, resurfaced and restriped parking areas, installation of electric vehicle charging stations, new irrigation and lighting systems, and low-maintenance landscaping. Secure perimeter fencing and outdoor recreation areas will also be provided.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Without Board of Supervisors approval, the project will not be constructed, the County will not be able to provide planned expanded services to approximately 95 residents per year struggling with severe mental health issues and will lose the BHCIP grant funding.