UTHealth's Harris County Psychiatric Center Begins $8M Renovations

The University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric Center (HCPC) is experiencing substantial enhancements to its 38-year-old facility through a $8 million renovation project supported by the Texas Legislature. According to Daniel Doyle, chief operating officer of the UTHealth Behavioral Sciences Campus, this is the initial phase of a two-part plan to modernize the center.

The first phase of the renovations encompasses enhancements to the building's exterior, courtyards, boilers, and elevators. The completion of the project is anticipated in early 2026. UTHealth is seeking $12 million in funding from the ongoing legislative session to initiate a second phase to expand the facility’s capacity and enhance essential infrastructure, such as its heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.

Doyle emphasized the pressing necessity for enhanced psychiatric services, pointing to a “dramatic increase” in demand following the COVID-19 pandemic. The campus, featuring 538 beds in total, with 274 beds at HCPC, often experiences a waiting list of 60 to 80 patients.

“These are ... patients in the emergency departments of outlying hospitals awaiting the availability of an inpatient behavioral health bed,” Doyle explained.

The HCPC provides care for around 9,000 patients each year, addressing conditions including bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia, and behavioral disorders. The second phase of the renovations aims to update 12 inpatient units, each featuring 20-24 beds, while transforming support areas such as finance into spaces that directly serve patients, enhancing the building's overall functionality.

“We aim to make full use of the entire square footage in that building to ensure we can provide the best care for our patients,” Doyle stated, highlighting the significance of fostering a patient-centered atmosphere.

As the project advances, the renovations seek to upgrade the facility and bolster the center’s capacity to meet the increasing mental health demands of the Houston community and beyond.

‍