The Bridge Center for Hope still doesn’t have a site selected for the planned mental health diversion facility, but someone has been tapped to serve as the center’s executive director.
The new leader—who board chair Kathy Kliebert declined to reveal to Daily Report—was chosen two weeks ago from a pool of “eight or nine” applicants, four of whom the board interviewed.
Kliebert says an official announcement with basic details will come in the days ahead.
Meanwhile, Bridge Center service provider Recovery Innovations International will visit Baton Rouge again next week. During the Oct. 21-23 visit, representatives from the Arizona-based firm will work to secure licensing for the center, says Kliebert, and possibly tour more potential sites.
While the Mid City campus of Baton Rouge General remains the most likely site option—especially with the former Woman’s Hospital complex no longer in the running—the service provider has contacted a real estate agent to see whether there are any other empty spaces in Baton Rouge that could house the facility. They’ve also reached out to an architect to determine building design needs.
“I don’t think there’s a big barrier out there—there are just natural negotiations that need to occur,” Kliebert says. “Baton Rouge General has what they feel they can do in terms of cost and renovation, and RI has what they feel works best for the facility.”
Despite the lengthy site selection process, Kliebert says Recovery Innovations International is working “as quickly as possible,” adding she’s confident the center will open in March as planned.
