The North Central Mental Health Facility on High Street will break ground on a brand new portion of their facility on May 1. The NCMH helps Columbus residents who are suffering from mental health issues and drug addiction.

The new addition to the facility will be used mainly for housing full-time employees that are needed to assist the residents.

“This way we can bring everyone in under one roof,” said Susan Jennings, community relations director.

The employees are now staying in another office building on Fifth Street and have to transfer from building to building as needed. The new building will get rid of this problem, and the company will also be saving money on rent, said Jennings.

The building will be expanded by 15,332 square feet, bringing the total area of the complex to over 38,000 square feet.

Members of the NCMH faculty are still awaiting a final estimate on the total cost of the expansion, but chief financial officer Joe Niedzwiedski estimates that the cost will be around $1.2 million.

“Most of the project will be internally funded,” Niedzwiedski said. “But we are looking into the possibility of a bank loan.”

Jennings said the urban area the building is located in has influenced the architectural design of the new construction.

“The old building kind of looks like it belongs in Dublin,” she said. “This time, the emphasis was on the urban area that we are surrounded by. It looks more like a shopping area in the Short North.”

The facility, which is located on 1301 N. High St., has been home to those in need of care for over 25 years. There are 13 sites operated by the NCMH located in Franklin County.

“We currently provide assistance for 4,800 clients, as well as public speaking and education to hundreds of others,” Jennings said. “We also run a suicide prevention program for Franklin County, as well as comprehensive mental health and recovery programs.”

Jennings said there are a lot of Ohio State students who participate with the mental health facility.

“Many OSU psychology majors work for our suicide prevention program,” she said.

“There are a half a dozen OSU students working with us at any time,” said Don Wood, president and CEO of the NCMH.

Niedzwiedski said the goal for completion of the project is before the end of this calendar year.