Governor Bentley Celebrates Grand Opening of New Bryce Hospital

New Bryce Hospital Will Provide Latest in Patient Services

TUSCALOOSA–Gov. Robert Bentley, Department of Mental Health Commissioner Jim Reddoch and other state and local leaders participated in the dedication of the new Bryce Hospital in Tuscaloosa Wednesday.

The state’s new psychiatric hospital, located on the former Partlow campus on University Boulevard in Tuscaloosa, is a 260,000 square foot facility designed to provide the latest in patient care.

“I am proud of Alabama’s push to move people from institutions to community-based settings for recovery,” Governor Robert Bentley said. “For patients who need long-term care, the new Bryce facility is a state-of-the art hospital that will provide great opportunities to help them lead a productive life. We have entered a new era with the opening of this hospital.  It is a facility that the Tuscaloosa community, mental health advocates and the state can be proud to support.”

“Bryce Hospital has been a part of the Tuscaloosa community for over 150 years,” Mental Health Commissioner Jim Reddoch said. “We have honored the legacy of Dr. Peter Bryce with the opening of the hospital.  Every part of the hospital has been designed to help with patient recovery. Mental health consumers now have a facility that is a model for other hospitals that deliver mental health services.  I appreciate the Governor’s support to get the new hospital opened and ready for patients.”

The new hospital includes 268 patient beds, a neighborhood clinical therapy area, a recovery center area and facilities for support services.  The recovery center area, designed to assist in patient recovery and transition to full community life, includes classroom space, a gymnasium, canteen, library, chapel, barber shop, post office, recreation and fitness center, arts and crafts room, and vocational area.

The total cost for the project was approximately $81 million, including $2.7 million in Department of Transportation funding for road construction. During the course of the project, more than $30 million worth of work has gone directly to Alabama-based firms, including more than $5 million to Tuscaloosa-based firms. More than 500 workers have been employed on site during the construction process.

The new Bryce hospital was built after the Department of Mental Health sold the former Bryce property to The University of Alabama in 2010. Under the purchase agreement, the Department of Mental Health continued to operate in the old facilities while the new hospital was under construction.