3.0 Hospital Construction Completion

 

Image 1: Arial of ASH, October 2022 

The new Austin State Hospital construction began in October 2019. The new hospital will have 240 single person rooms with ensuite bathrooms. The ASH campus site underwent several coordinated changes to support the 15-acre hospital site on the north side of Lamar in Central Austin. An aerial photo, Image 1, from October 2022 shows the new campus layout with the hospital footprint. 

“The new hospital’s architectural and functional design is specifically established to transition people from the hospital back to the community as quickly and smoothly as possible.”

Construction has maintained schedule and budget relatively well considering the onset of COVID-19 in 2020, Winter Storm Uri that hit Texas in 2021, supply chain issues and staffing changes. These unexpected and unparalleled events have delayed construction despite the team’s best efforts. As a result, the hospital opening is now planned for 2024. 

Some significant numbers to note that are tied to the construction of ASH are the following: 

  • 6,500 artifacts uncovered

  • 150,000 tons of crushed limestone imported

  • 60,000 square feet of chopped and cut stone

  • 220 tons of red iron

  • 23,000 cubic yards of concrete poured

  • 25,000 pounds of nails and fasteners used on structure

  • 4,830,151 interior screws

  • 1,635 feet of drywall; if stacked flat would reach 13 stories high.

  • 1,698 rectangles of metal decking

The hospital serves roughly 670 people annually based on the last five years. However, if changes improve the continuum of care, these changes will increase the functional bed capacity of ASH allowing more individuals needing acute psychiatric care to be served at ASH. 

The new hospital’s architectural and functional design is specifically established to transition people from the hospital back to the community as quickly and smoothly as possible. Increasing supports for discharge will need to improve prior to completion of the new hospital to facilitate better and more appropriate throughput. Before the hospital opens, ASH and HHSC need the support of the legislature to fund an operational budget that will support ASH opening its doors fully staffed for a 240-bed facility. 

Key Points – Hospital Construction Completion:

• The new hospital will take approximately 5 years to build.

• ASH is designed as a world class hospital for modern mental (brain) health care.

• Opening ASH at full capacity is necessary to begin meeting mental health care demands.