A proposed psychiatric hospital in Templeton, Calif., is struggling to move forward with construction after receiving approval from San Luis Obispo County officials in March 2016, according to a New Times San Luis Obispo report.
Harvey Billig, MD, and Melanie Billig own the property where the proposed psychiatric hospital is set to be built. Dr. Billig is a former ophthalmologist and Melanie Billig is a former San Luis Obispo mayor. The pair selected Charlotte, N.C.-based Vizion Health to build the 92-bed psychiatric hospital. Although Vizion Health's website says the hospital is "coming soon," the facility has yet to break ground.
Vizion Health is still trying to finance the project, which has an estimated cost of $65 million.
However, the Dec. 4 Thomas Fire in southern California, which destroyed the Vista Del Mar Hospital, a psychiatric facility, in Ventura, Calif., might put pressure on the state to build a new facility, said Ms. Billig.
Vista Del Mar psychiatric hospital had to be evacuated after incurring major fire damages. As a result, San Luis Obispo County residents seeking inpatient mental health treatment might now have to travel to Fremont, Santa Rosa, or Southern California to find a facility.
The Board of Supervisors for San Luis Obispo County will hear an update on the Templeton project's status at a board meeting in early 2018.