Gov. McCrory and Raleigh mayor sign Dorothea Dix mental hospital deal
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory and Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane officially signed the purchase contract Monday allowing the City of Raleigh to acquire the Dorothea Dix mental hospital property.
The purchase contract was unanimously authorized by the North Carolina Council of State at its May 5 meeting. The Raleigh City Council approved the agreement on April 24. The City is acquiring the 308-acre Dix site for a total of $52 million.
"I want to thank Governor McCrory, the Council of State, and members of the General Assembly for working with the City of Raleigh to preserve this important piece of state history with an agreement that ensures the Dix property will be preserved and developed for future generations to enjoy as a world-class destination park," McFarlane said.
Gov. McCrory said Raleigh is "gaining a destination park site and the State will gain funds to help our fellow citizens who need vital mental health services."
Located near Downtown Raleigh on the south side of Western Boulevard east of Centennial Parkway, the property contains the Dorothea Dix Hospital and dozens of administrative buildings now used by state agencies.
The site had primarily served as a mental health treatment facility since the first patient was admitted in 1856. However, the hospital was closed in 2012 after most services were transferred to the Central Regional Hospital in Butner.
Under the terms of the proposed sale, the State will lease a portion of the campus that currently contains office buildings used by the Department of Health and Human Services.
