Heritage Behavioral Health Center expanding into building in Northgate Plaza

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - Heritage Behavioral Health Center is expanding after having a building donated.

For the past 68 years, Heritage Behavioral Health Center has been serving those in need of behavioral health services across Macon, DeWitt, and Piatt counties.

Heritage’s Board of Directors announced they are accepting a building donation from Sally Andreas to allow for its expansion of services. The building is located in Northgate Plaza, 2800 N. Water St. in Decatur.

Heritage Behavioral Health Center pursuing plans to relocate next to St. Teresa High School

"We're up to almost 400 staff positions in all of our locations," said Heritage President and CEO Mary Garrison. "In our main building we have over 200 staff that are here right now and we need to add almost 90 more positions here and I don't know where we will put folks. So, we'll be moving some of our staff and operations out into that building to free up space here, downtown."

St. Teresa High School Executive Director, Kenneth Hendriksen says he has been in contact with the school’s lawyer to put a stop to the move.

“We also have to have a meeting with our school board to develop a plan as to how we are going to proceed,” said Hendriksen. “Obviously, St. Teresa, we’re very supportive of Heritage and what they do for our community. But our number one priority is the safety of our students and it will always be our number one priority.

Garrison said the move will take 3-5 years, and cost 40 million dollars. Its a change she says the facility desperately need.

"This will be really a state-of-the-art facility that will allow us to be on one floor and move between the different programs, but also have separate entrances to each program," said Garrison. "So, depending on what your needs are, if it's one thing you just need from us, you come in for that, that session and you go on your way, or you have multiple services that you receive from us, you can do that all under that one roof."

Hendriksen says he’s also concerned that the number of students at the school will drop as parents are concerned about their student’s safety. He’s been handling calls from parents with questions since the plan was announced.

“I had three parents from our eighth grade, who wanted to know the status of Heritage recording to North Gate, and they still haven't registered,” said Hendriksen.

On Friday, the City of Decatur said, "Based on limited information provided by Heritage and their development partners, it appears that the Decatur City Council will not be required to take any formal action approving or disapproving the redevelopment project."

The City also stated "As for Heritage’s current downtown building, currently the City is unaware of plans for this private property once Heritage vacates the space. We understand it will still be several years before the full relocation happens. The City looks forward to positive reuse of the facility and will be happy to join those discussions when the time is right."

Heritage Behavioral Health Center previously expanded to a new building in Clinton last year.