Sissy Weaver, Bill Lindsey, Dr. Robert Bank, Sen. Joel Lourie, Sen. Darrell Jackson, John Magill, and Councilman Greg Pearce participate in the groundbreaking of the new Columbia Area Mental Health Center. Columbia Area Mental Health Center held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday, November 20, to mark the beginning of construction of its new facility in downtown Columbia.

The new building, phase two of three, will house the Center's Intensive Case Management and Emergency Services programs and will be located at 2715 Colonial Drive, near Palmetto Richland Hospital and the Lexington/ Richland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Center's (LRADAC) new behavioral health center. Construction is expected to take 12- 14 months.