FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Miller Construction has completed a new 31,344-square-foot Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) for Henderson Behavioral Health in Fort Lauderdale, helping the non-profit healthcare provider achieve a vital milestone for mental health services in South Florida. 

Henderson Behavioral Health is relocating its CSU to the new state-of-the-art, two-story structure on its main campus at 300 SW 27 Avenue, near Downtown Fort Lauderdale. Compared with the previous location, a 1950’s-era building in Lauderdale Lakes, the two 24-bed units double capacity and offer a structured, therapeutic and non-institutional environment for individuals experiencing a behavioral health crisis.

“Working closely with us from the initial design stages, Miller’s team delivered smart, innovative solutions and exceptional value,” said Henderson Behavioral Health CEO Steve Ronik, Ed.D. “Creating the new CSU on a site close to the existing clinical services building within our main campus, they phased and performed the work to minimize inconvenience and ensure the safety and comfort of our staff and patients.”

Miller’s crews first installed a lift station and sewer line to tie into the city’s sanitary system, and removed the site’s septic tank. They reconfigured public and staff parking areas for the existing building before commencing CSU construction.

The new facility with advanced access control accommodates patients in four “stand-alone” secure units. Each unit includes six patient rooms, visitor/activity areas, living/dining rooms and quiet social spaces. The structure also features a reception area, offices, exam rooms, staff lounges and an outdoor recreation area. Miller’s project team installed millwork, finishes and soothing colors that create a homelike environment, while also addressing critical security and communications systems.

Generating savings through precise cost controls, Miller helped Henderson Behavioral Health design the new building’s sound system and its Bi-Directional Amplifier (BDA) system that ensures full-building RF signal coverage for first responder radios. Savings paid for design of a new irrigation system using well water instead of metered water.

“Henderson Behavioral Health’s vision for creating a fully modern CSU with a welcoming, therapeutic environment was crucial to Broward County’s future,” said Miller Construction President Brian Sudduth. “As an essential link in our community’s mental health system, the organization cares for more than 22,000 people in need each year.  We’re pleased that the CSU will make a significant difference.”

Project team members included Fort Lauderdale firms FSMY Architects + Planners (design), Consulting Engineering Services (MEP) and Bryntesen Structural Engineers (structural) as well as Sun-Tech Engineering of Sunrise (civil).