Celebrating milestones: Turner and Alliance Healthcare Services topping out ceremony

Turner Construction Company, in collaboration with Alliance Healthcare Services, recently marked a significant milestone in the construction of the Crisis Wellness Center in Memphis, Tennessee. This state-of-the-art facility is poised to provide extensive mental health support services for the Memphis area. The topping out ceremony, a time-honored tradition in the construction industry, symbolized the completion of a crucial phase in the building process.

Alliance Healthcare Services’ Crisis Wellness Center
As the largest comprehensive behavioral health provider in Shelby County, Alliance Healthcare Services plays a pivotal role in addressing various aspects of mental well-being – including crisis intervention, housing, addiction, and support for children and families. The Crisis Wellness Center will profoundly impact mental wellness support in the region by significantly enhancing Alliance's crisis response capabilities. With an increase in the number of available beds, the center will accommodate more individuals in need. Additionally, the enhanced infrastructure will enable Alliance staff to monitor up to 24 individuals across 15 assessment rooms simultaneously. The Crisis Wellness Center will also feature a secure intake area, offices, and a dedicated space for families and children, creating a comprehensive environment for mental health care.

The topping out ceremony, a construction tradition
The topping out ceremony, a longstanding practice in the construction industry, marks the placement of the last structural element on a building, often the tallest and final beam. The centuries-old tradition can be traced to an ancient Scandinavian ritual where a tree was ceremoniously placed atop a new structure. Historically, the topping out is often accompanied by a celebration. Today, this includes the acknowledgment of the collaborative efforts of all involved parties in the construction process.

In this case, the topping out ceremony serves as a symbolic recognition of the completion of a critical phase in the Crisis Wellness Center’s construction. The event brought together Turner colleagues, Alliance Healthcare Services staff, brg3s architects, and trade partners who have played a vital role in bringing this facility to fruition.

Beyond its historical roots, the topping out ceremony commemorates progress and teamwork. It provides an opportunity for stakeholders to come together and recognize the collective effort that has brought the initiative to its current state. The placement of the final beam or equivalent structure symbolizes the culmination of hard work and signifies a step closer to the realization of the project's goals.

As Turner and Alliance move forward with the building of the Crisis Wellness Center, the topping out ceremony stands as a testament to the dedication and collaboration invested in this transformative venture. The enhanced mental health support services that the Crisis Wellness Center will offer reflect a shared commitment to the well-being of the Memphis community. This celebration not only marks the realization of a construction phase but also highlights the progress toward providing essential mental wellness resources for those in need.