Proposal rejected for new psychiatric hospital in Columbia

The Missouri Health Facilities Review Committee has rejected a proposed health facility in south Columbia. The committee met at the state capitol Wednesday to consider the proposed behavioral health center to be built in the area of Chinaberry Drive and Old Highway 63.

Oceans Healthcare, the project’s facilitator, testified to the need and merits for more than 70 psychiatric beds in the Columbia market.

The idea was met with heavy opposition, particularly from residents of the Bluff Creek area, the proposed site.

Aside from neighborhood safety concerns, opponents of the facility testified that Oceans Healthcare was dishonest with the residents about the details of the project.

Opposition also came from Centerpoint Healthcare, whose representatives testified the proposed facility would not meet the needs of the community, while Centerpoint’s proposed facility would.

While Centerpoint hasn’t yet filed an official plan yet, the health care company did file a letter of intent with the Committee last month.

Oceans Healthcare’s proposal was denied by the committee by a vote of 5-2 on the basis of failure to show need as well as bad location.