Initially, SBLM was hired to program and develop the new facility in an abandoned former forensic psychiatric facility floors 6 and 7.  We worked closely with Corrections to provide a program that accommodated their needs for high security and safety for officers and a therapeutic environment suitable for mentally ill patients.  24/7 security watch and suicide prevention were of paramount importance as well as updating the entire existing building systems to state of the art electronics, control and energy efficiency. 
 

In 2012 it was determined that the entire building needed to be included in the project and the  preferred project delivery method was a design-build model. SBLM’s role changed to providing a complete design-criteria package for the project.  A full design development package was developed by SBLM, of the entire 180,000 sf 7-story facility with four residential floors and over 200 beds.  Floors 1 and 2 were designated for intake, support areas, recreation and Crisis Unit.  The project went out to bid but before final selection it was determined that bringing in a 3rd party energy performance contractor could bring additional funding to the project.  The design-build package was altered and re-bid to include the energy performance contractor.  Project bid was eventually suspended.
 

In 2014 it was determined that the facility would still function as originally conceived but it would be divided with two residential floors administer by Corrections and two residential floors administered by the Eleventh Circuit Court.  SBLM was hired to develop this program and work with the two stake holders – Corrections and Courts, to develop a shared facility which ultimately created funding issues and the Courts took over the entire project in 2015.  SBLM now worked with the Courts (and Judge Leifman) to develop a refined concept for the entire building and property – the first of its kind.