Spokane County Breaks Ground on PATH Facility, a Beacon of Hope for Behavioral Health Care
Spokane County marked a major milestone in its efforts to address addiction and mental health crises by breaking ground on a new treatment and recovery facility. Known as the Prevention, Assessment, Treatment, and Healing Center, or PATH, the project represents a significant step toward strengthening behavioral health care across the region.
The PATH facility will expand upon the county’s existing stabilization services and bring multiple forms of care together in one centralized location. Once complete, the 17,000‑square‑foot facility will offer crisis relief, sobering services, stabilization, withdrawal management, and treatment for co‑occurring mental health and substance use disorders. This approach is designed to address a long‑standing challenge in behavioral health care. Individuals experiencing crisis often find themselves cycling between emergency rooms, jails, and fragmented services. By creating a single place where people can receive timely, appropriate care, Spokane County aims to reduce strain on hospitals and the criminal legal system while improving outcomes for individuals and families. The urgency behind this project is unmistakable. Spokane County has seen a dramatic rise in overdose deaths over the last several years.
The PATH facility is the result of a thoughtful, multidisciplinary collaboration rooted in shared values and expertise. Together with Graham and Stantec, Bernardo Wills is providing architectural design services, working closely with the county to translate care delivery needs into a supportive physical environment. The facility, estimated to be between 16,000 and 20,000 square feet, will be designed to connect and function integrally with the existing stabilization center, creating a seamless continuum of care. Located adjacent to the Spokane Regional Stabilization Center, the new building will include clinical service spaces, secure storage for medications and personal belongings, sobering rooms with up to 24 certified recliners, restrooms and showers, staff observation stations, and dedicated rooms for triage and treatment. Each element of the design is guided by the goal of supporting individuals in crisis while enabling staff to provide care with clarity, safety, and compassion.
As designers and partners, it is a privilege to contribute to projects that carry such meaningful purpose. The built environment plays a powerful role in how care is experienced. Thoughtful design can create a sense of safety, calm, and respect, qualities that are essential in moments of crisis. The PATH facility is being designed with these principles at the forefront, ensuring the space supports both patients and care providers alike.
For Spokane County, the PATH facility also represents a shift in philosophy. Rather than relying on emergency or punitive responses during behavioral health crises, the county is prioritizing care, connection, and recovery‑focused solutions. All services at the facility will be voluntary and accessible, emphasizing dignity at every step of the process.
Breaking ground is only the first step. As progress continues, the PATH facility will move closer to fulfilling its mission of providing care when it matters most. We are honored to be part of this important project and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our community for years to come.
