Building Plans for the “Restoration Center of Greater Lowell”

The Early Stage

As our affiliate name implies we are located in Middlesex county, so naturally we took an active role back in 2018 to help pass a bill in the Massachusetts legislature under Chapter 69 of the Acts of 2018, An Act relative to criminal justice reform . We contacted local legislators to urge them to establish the Middlesex County Restoration Center Commission.

Annual reports from the Commission, which includes a representative from NAMI Massachusetts, included the goal to “Investigate the gaps and needs in behavioral health and diversionary services in Middlesex County that could prevent arrest and unnecessary emergency department (ED) utilization among individuals with behavioral health conditions.”

Plans in Place

As time progressed, Lowell was identified as the community that would host the facility, and Vinfen and Spectrum Health Systems took the contract to operate the program. In mid May, Melanie Gilbert of “The Lowell Sun” published an article about the 2026 rollout plans for the Restoration Center of Greater Lowell. The article outlines the thought process behind the pursuit, the adult walk-in services, the first responder drop-off area, sober support and detox services, and clinical stabilization beds. It also includes excellent photos of the layout of the facility. Read the full article here: lowellsun.com/2025/05/15/restoration-center-of-greater-lowell-to-open-in-2026/.