1. Local officials expect to receive $5M for Brazoria County mental health hospital
A state bill that in part includes $5 million for Brazoria County to start working toward a new mental health hospital has been sent to the governor's desk.
Jim Johnson, president for the Pearland Chamber of Commerce, which is one of many entities spearheading the effort, said he remains confident the bill will be passed.
Long story short
The bill, House Bill 500, includes allotments for a number of different facilities across the state, according to the bill. That includes $5 million to help design and begin constructing the mental health facility in Brazoria County, Johnson said.
In total, officials expect the hospital to cost $115 million to build out.
The bill has passed both the House and Senate, and was sent to the Texas Comptroller’s Office on June 2, according to the Legislature’s website. It was sent to the governor June 9 but has yet to be signed into law as of press time June 17.
Why it matters
The hospital is planned to be 115 beds to help address what officials have called a shortage of mental health resources in Brazoria County.
2. Friendswood Hospital to open in July
After months of delays and supply issues, officials with Friendswood Hospital said they expect the facility to open in July.
The gist
Originally expected to open in October, the hospital, located at 3201 FM 528, Friendswood, near Bay Area Boulevard, ran into construction supply issues in its build-out, owner Suchmor Thomas said, which pushed the opening date back several months. Those supply issues have since been resolved, he said, paving the way for the hospital to open in July.
What else?
The hospital will offer emergency care, cardiology, lung care and orthopedics, among other services, according to its website.
3. Manvel ER awaits permits, expects 13-month build-out
The new Manvel ER is expected to break ground soon, an official with the business said.
What you need to know
Originally approved in September by Manvel City Council, the project, which will be a freestanding emergency center, is now in its final review, meaning permits could be issued soon, officials said.
Once construction permits are obtained, the groundbreaking will take place. Officials with the business did not specify by press time when that could happen. The project will take about 13 months to build out.
“We hope to be seeing patients late next summer,” one official said. “We are excited to be a part of Manvel and look forward to being an important part of the community.”
