Denton County spent $12.5 million to buy a former hospital it plans to turn into a mental health facility and jail diversion center.
The Commissioners Court approved the purchase Tuesday, Nov. 10, according to a Denton County announcement. County Judge Andy Eads signed the contract for the 59,800-square-foot building at 2809 S. Mayhill Rd. in Denton. The two-story structure sits on 3.21 acres and was built in 2005 as Mayhill Hospital.
The facility would serve the county's 1.1 million residents with mental health services, according to the county.
Eads called it a "landmark day."
"I feel excited about the work ahead of us – a state-of-the-art and best practices facility that is going to be implemented in Denton County," he said.
The county plans to renovate the building to address mental health needs, including setting up a jail diversion center. The center would increase public safety, help connect people to appropriate resources and reduce the county's related costs, according to the announcement.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Ryan Williams said the purchase is a first step.
"We have to renovate this building and find the right partners," Williams said. "As a law enforcement officer, it will be nice to have a place to take people dealing with mental health issues instead of county jail."
As many as 30 percent of incarcerated individuals could benefit from such a facility, Williams said.
Precinct 3 Commissioner Bobbie J. Mitchell, who has served on the Denton County Behavioral Health Leadership Team for several years, said mental health needs have continued to increase.
"Providing a mental health facility in Denton County has been a priority on our list as the needs have continued to increase," Mitchell said. "I am glad we are closer to seeing this as a reality."
Precinct 2 Commissioner Kevin W. Falconer and Precinct 4 Commissioner Dianne Edmondson also voiced support. Falconer said the facility was a priority he had pushed for since joining the court. Edmondson said the need for mental health services has grown as the population increased.
The plan grew out of collaboration among the Commissioners Court, the Denton County Sheriff's Department, area municipalities, county judges, hospital systems, United Way of Denton County and other groups. The county provided most of the $75,000 needed for the Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute to develop a strategic plan covering facility scope, operations and a funding strategy, including a presentation for the 2027 Texas legislative session.
Eads said the building stood out among several options the court considered. "When this opportunity became available, we all had peace about it," he said.
