Alabama to open new psychiatric hospital

From The AP:

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The state of Alabama is breaking ground on a new psychiatric hospital to replace the old Bryce Hospital (pictured) in Tuscaloosa.

Gov. Bob Riley and other officials will be on hand for the event, set for Tuesday.

The new hospital will be located on property at the Partlow Development Center. Construction on the 268-bed facility is being managed by the University of Alabama under a deal with the state.

Meanwhile, the university is purchasing the current Bryce Hospital in a nearly $78 million deal that provides the school with land beside campus.

The new hospital is supposed to open in 2013. Officials considered taking over the old Carraway medical center in Birmingham for a state mental hospital but decided to construct a new one instead.