City of Pharr breaks ground on new DHR Health hospital

PHARR, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The City of Pharr and DHR Health joined Tuesday to celebrate the groundbreaking for a new behavioral health hospital.

DHR Health was awarded an $85 million grant to construct and operate the new behavioral hospital through the Mental Health Inpatient Facility Grant Program.

State legislators invested over $2.1 billion in funding to enhance behavioral health services statewide, part of which was allocated for a new 100-bed behavioral hospital in the Rio Grande Valley.

"There is an absolute need statewide for more mental health infrastructure, more funds, more access for our patients, all Texans," said Ambrosio Hernandez, Mayor of Pharr.

The DHR Health and Behavioral Hospital will provide patients with mental disorders and conditions.

"The City of Pharr has always prioritized mental health. We're in a full alignment of putting our patients, in this case, our residents as a priority," Hernandez continued.

The new DHR Health hospital is expected to open in 2026 and will be the first hospital in Pharr.

It will be located on 4800 N. Jackson Rd. in Pharr.