New safety barriers under construction in Columbia at Fifth and Walnut parking garage
Construction started last week on more robust safety barriers at the top level of Columbia's Fifth and Walnut municipal parking garage.
Calls for safety improvements at the garage were reignited after a suicide in September.
The city issued an expedited bid process the same day as the suicide after the Columbia City Council had authorized the call for bids in July.
The reason for the delay between the $300,000 appropriation in late 2020, construction authorization and the bid call was related to the COVID-19 pandemic, city spokesperson Sydney Olsen wrote to the Tribune back in September.
"During the pandemic, supplies have been very limited for items like steel, making it difficult to get things like samples custom to this project," she wrote. "The pandemic has also impacted the ability of partners on the project like engineers and the consultant company to travel to Columbia to see the structure and engage with the public."
More: City of Columbia receives bid for safety improvements at parking garage known for suicides
Construction is expected to take approximately three weeks, public works department spokesperson John Ogan wrote in an email Friday.
Construction supplies reached the city the first week of the new year.
Central Fence LLC of Vienna has been hired for the roof fencing, Ogan wrote.
"The city is still in the process of investigating its options for the window barrier phase of the project," Ogan wrote.
The window barriers are part of a second phase of the safety project.
"The city believes that barriers of this nature do provide a deterrent and save lives, and that this fence will give people a chance to think twice," Ogan wrote.
More: Upper levels of Fifth and Walnut Parking Garage closed off ahead of safety upgrades
Jill Harkavy-Friedman, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention vice president of research, said much the same to the Tribune in 2019.
“We know that people use what’s accessible,” she said at the time. “That’s the issue with something like parking garages. It’s a problem all over the country. And it’s a problem with a relatively simple solution, which is barriers or fences. Research shows that when you limit access to lethal means, then you can save lives.
"... Barriers give time. It gives time for the crisis to slow down a little bit for the person to get their thinking together a little bit more.”
Crisis resources
There is a growing number of resources available for individuals who are experiencing a mental health crisis.
One nationwide resource is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, which is always open and includes a specific option for veterans.
The Central Missouri Crisis Line is 1-800-395-2132, also monitored around the clock.
More: Burrell to house temporary mental health crisis center at Stephens Lake office location
There are additional resources through the Missouri Department of Mental Health.
Catholic Charities of Central and Northern Missouri has developed a behavioral and mental health program that is set to start providing counseling by February.
"(Catholic Charities) wants to have a faith-informed provider who can combine traditional therapy with the faith piece," program director Dala Hemeyer said.
More: Catholic Charities nears launch of behavioral health program serving mid-Missouri
The Oak Center celebrated its one-year anniversary last Tuesday. It uses Dialectical Behavior Therapy to treat those with frequent or recurring suicide attempts and those who were diagnosed with a borderline personality disorder.
The mission of the center is to improve the "quality of life for our clients, their family members, and the community by increasing access to evidence-based mental health treatment, education, and resources," its website notes.
Burrell Behavioral Health will have a rapid response unit in place by July at its Stephens Lake Clinic to respond to those experiencing a mental health crisis. This is a temporary solution as Burrell awaits decisions by the Columbia City Council on how it appropriates American Rescue Plan funds.
A proposal in the city's budget would provide $3 million for a mental health center, like the one Burrell hopes to construct in partnership with Phoenix Programs.
Burrell entered a partnership with Preferred Family Healthcare to provide primary care services for its mental health patients in October. That partnership was finalized at the start of the year, under new parent company Brightli.
Burrell also has its ONE Initiative, which is a "network of businesses and community members dedicated to suicide awareness and education," Burrell Public Relations Director Nathan Fleischman wrote in an email.
This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Columbia begins safety upgrades at Fifth and Walnut parking garage
