New location will consolidate services provided to a growing number of patients, which doubled since 2015
By Stefan Yablonski
Farnham Family Services is constructing a new outpatient behavioral health facility at 12-98 George St., Oswego.
“Farnham has surpassed the capacity of its current location at 283 W. Second St.,” said Joseph Pierce, director of operations. “The new building will consolidate all existing programs — including prevention, recovery supports and outpatient treatment, including the opioid treatment program — under one roof, enhancing service delivery and operational efficiency. This expansion is projected to significantly increase service capacity, allowing more individuals to access care in a centralized, purpose-built setting.”
Additionally, the new facility will provide dedicated office space for administrative staff, which is currently primarily based off-site.
In 2022, the city of Oswego put the George Street location up for bid to the community and solicited projects.
Farnham submitted a proposal and was subsequently awarded the opportunity to purchase the property.
They broke ground in summer of 2024.
The 15,120-square foot single-story facility is expected to be completed in May 2026 (planning for an August-September launch). The site is 12.9 acres with grading, stormwater, utilities and parking.
The project is funded through the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports and delivered through a state-managed capital grant process in partnership with the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York.
Since 2015, the average number of people the organization serves per day has more than doubled.
“Bringing the entire team together is expected to improve internal coordination and support the agency’s mission more effectively. This expansion also gives us greater flexibility in both capability and capacity, positioning Farnham to potentially add new services in the future and continue meeting the evolving needs of our community,” Pierce explained.
It will allow Farnham Family Services to provide the opportunity for about 25% more people to access services “with privacy and dignity.”
The new facility will consolidate and expand Farnham’s clinical operations in a dedicated, purpose-built space supporting medical, therapy, recovery and administrative functions, he added.
This project replaces leased and outgrown spaces with a permanent asset designed for long-term growth and better positioned to meet the needs of the community.
“The landlord of our current site, 283 W. Second St., has been a great friend and ally of Farnham over the years. Ultimately, it will be their decision on what becomes of the property,” he said. “We’re deeply grateful for the support and partnership we’ve had and we sincerely wish them — and the site that has helped change countless lives — all the best in whatever comes next.”
New Fulton location
“Yes, the need in our area has grown significantly. That’s exactly why we relocated the Fulton office this spring. Both Farnham and Liberty Resources had expanded their services to the point where shared space introduced limitations and capacity issues,” he said. “Moving into dedicated, larger locations ensures we can each continue to meet the demand of today and tomorrow without limitations, while still maintaining a close collaborative relationship to support the community.”
Farnham Family Services relocated its Fulton office to 4 Tower Drive, effective March 17, 2025. This move reflects the organization’s continued growth and commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the community, Pierce said.
For several years, Farnham Family Services and Liberty Resources shared space in Fulton as part of a coordinated effort to provide integrated mental health and substance use disorder services. This collaboration, initiated prior to COVID-19, helped ensure essential care remained accessible during a period of heightened need and workforce shortages.
Since then, both organizations have expanded their services significantly, making it necessary for each to have dedicated space to continue serving the community effectively, he explained.
“This move represents an exciting step forward for both organizations and the community as a whole,” Pierce said. “By transitioning into a dedicated space, we’re ensuring that both Farnham and Liberty Resources can continue to grow and provide critical services without space limitations.”
