Oklahoma Buys Hospital for New Mental Health Facility

Major Investment in Behavioral Health Care

The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (ODMHSAS) announced the purchase of a hospital campus in southwest Oklahoma City for $18.5 million, followed by an additional $41.5 million earmarked for renovations. The acquisition represents one of the largest single investments in the state’s behavioral-health infrastructure. The facility at 2129 S.W. 59th Street was formerly operated by SSM Health and will eventually replace the aging 120-bed Griffin Memorial Hospital in Norman, according to agency officials.

Phased Move-In & Improved Access

Renovations will take place in phases. The first phase focuses on the annex building, with the agency expecting to relocate approximately 32 patients by December. When fully operational, the facility is projected to house about 197 beds, marking an increase in statewide inpatient behavioral-health capacity. Agency interim commissioner Greg Slavonic said the centrally located campus will streamline patient access, reduce burden on law enforcement, and improve treatment for adults with severe mental illness.

Budget, Strategy & State Impact

The funding for this project comes in part from federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, which had originally been allocated for a brand-new behavioral health hospital. Rising costs prompted the shift to acquiring and renovating an existing facility. KOKHState officials noted that modernizing the facility will enhance not only inpatient treatment but also outpatient and crisis services, with the goal of addressing longstanding shortages in Oklahoma’s behavioral-health system. The move is significant for Oklahoma’s public-health landscape — increasing bed capacity, centralizing services, and demonstrating the state’s commitment to mental-health infrastructure.

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