King County planning Crisis Care Center at Broadway and Union

Capitol Hill residents and businesses are mobilizing against a proposed mental health crisis center at Broadway and Union, part of King County's $1. 25 billion plan to establish five centers by 2030. The initiative is funded by a county levy approved in 2023, which costs median-value homeowners about $121 per year. Community opposition has intensified as concerns arise regarding public safety and ongoing challenges with drug use and street disorder. County officials have called a community meeting to discuss the plans, but details about the center remain limited.

The site, a former Polyclinic building, has been on the market for lease and is situated in a transitional zone between nightlife and medical facilities. The first crisis center opened in Kirkland, operated by Connections Health Solutions, and offers a range of mental health services. As addiction and mental health issues escalate, the county aims to select operators for the remaining centers by 2026. Effective siting of such facilities is crucial, as evidenced by previous opposition to supportive housing proposals in the area.