Gilbane Celebrates Completion of the South County Academy in Exeter, Rhode Island

Gilbane Celebrates Completion of the South County Academy in Exeter, Rhode Island

• Press Release
• November 4, 2026

New facility provides Rhode Island youth with behavioral health treatment closer to home and their families

EXETER, R.I. - November 4, 2026 - Gilbane Building joined the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) and project partners to celebrate the completion of the new South County Academy, an important investment in behavioral health services for adolescent girls in Rhode Island. The new 35,000-square-foot, 16-bed facility provides an in-state treatment option for girls ages 13 to 18, helping young people remain closer to their families and communities while receiving needed care.

Built on 17 acres at the Ladd Center, the facility brings together residential, clinical, educational, family, and recreational spaces in an environment designed specifically to support the needs of adolescents receiving behavioral health treatment. The facility includes two eight-bedroom residential suites, clinical and staff spaces, classrooms, a media center, family visitation areas, and extensive indoor and outdoor recreation.

"Gilbane is proud to have helped deliver a facility that will make a meaningful difference for Rhode Island's youth and families. The care and collaboration that went into this project reflect a shared commitment to creating an environment that is safe, welcoming, and supportive of healing and connection. We are grateful to DCYF and the entire project team for their partnership," said Mike Busam, vice president and New England division leader for Gilbane Building.

Designed by DBVW Architects as a psychiatric-light facility, the new residence creates a comfortable, home-like setting with private family dining areas, group living rooms, activity spaces, and dedicated art, science, and music classrooms. Together, these spaces support treatment, education, daily living, and family engagement. Additional amenities include a media and recording studio, fitness room, and nurse touchdown spaces.

The therapeutic environment extends beyond the building itself. Outdoor amenities include a healing garden, landscaped areas, playgrounds, basketball and multi-use courts, a sports field, and additional recreation areas. The all-electric facility is also supported by geothermal wells, integrating energy efficiency and sustainability into its design and operation.

For Gilbane, the project drew on the firm's experience delivering complex residential and care environments in Rhode Island, including the Rhode Island Veterans Home. Working closely with DCYF and the project team, Gilbane helped translate the facility's specialized safety, clinical, educational, and family requirements into a setting designed to support both care and connection.

The South County Academy represents an important expansion of behavioral health resources for the Rhode Island community. By creating an in-state treatment option, the facility is intended to reduce reliance on out-of-state care and help maintain connections between young people and their families throughout treatment.

About Gilbane

Gilbane is the trusted leader in end-to-end solutions for the built environment, with integrated expertise across real estate investment, development, full-service construction, and property and facilities management.   

Family-owned since 1870, Gilbane is one of the oldest and largest privately held real estate development and construction companies in the world. With more than 45 offices, and 4,000+ employees worldwide, Gilbane pairs global experience with deep community connections to empower clients to move from vision to long-term performance with confidence. Guided by values that put people first and prioritize innovation, Gilbane builds trust, strengthens communities, and is driven by a purpose to boldly shape the world. Learn more at gilbaneco.com.