SEATTLE, WA — Construction is officially underway on a new Behavioral Health Teaching Facility at the University of Washington’s Medical Center-Northwest campus in Seattle. Representatives from Clark|Abbott, the joint venture team leading design and construction efforts on the project, joined university officials, Washington Governor Jay Inslee, and others for a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of the future facility.

Designed by SRG Partnership, the new six-story Behavioral Health Teaching Facility will include 150 patient beds and more than 184,000 square feet of clinical and administrative space. The project will feature 75 long-term civil commitment beds, 25 geropsychiatric beds, and 50 licensed med-surgery beds with the capacity to treat patients with psychiatric diagnoses and/or substance use disorders. The facility also will include a 24/7 telehealth consultation program, a procedural area for electroconvulsive therapy, and neuromodulation to support patients’ commitment to community-based living and health care, as well as space to conduct comprehensive workforce training and development for behavioral health and general health care providers.

“We are honored to have the opportunity to work closely with the University of Washington to bring to the community this critical teaching facility,” said Troy Stedman, President & CEO with Abbott Construction. “The support and services this project will bring to the community is critical in helping those who struggle with mental and physical needs.”

The future Behavioral Health Teaching Facility will provide a one-of-a-kind, fully integrated healing environment to individuals struggling with serious physical and behavioral health problems. The teaching facility will also support a full continuum of clinical services ranging from effective medication management and psychotherapies to neuromodulation treatments, as well as medical and surgical care for individuals with medical and behavioral disorders.

“The building’s design, created in collaboration with our clinical stakeholders, will create a warm and welcoming environment for patients, staff, and families, promoting healing and well-being and reinforcing the connection between mind and body,” said SRG Design Principal, Carl Hampson.

“For nearly two years, we have worked hand-in-hand with the University of Washington and our design, engineering, and trade partners, to develop a world-class facility that will support behavioral health treatment, training, healing, and hope, and address a critical need in our community,” said Brett Earnest, Senior Vice President for Clark Construction. “We are excited to enter the next phase of work on this project and eager to bring our collaborative vision to life.”

When complete, the new structure will also become the home for the statewide telepsychiatry consultation program and an interdisciplinary training and workforce development program focused on preparing and supporting the next generation of behavioral health providers for Washington State.

The Clark|Abbott joint venture is comprised of general contractors Clark Construction Group and JR Abbott Construction. The integrated project delivery team also includes architect SRG Partnership and additional project partners KPFF Consulting Engineers, Thornton Tomasetti, Ricca Design Studios, OJB Landscape Architecture, Mazzetti, PAE Engineers, McKinstry, VECA Electric, Schuff Steel, Performance Contracting Inc., and Queen City.

Excavation and site work are underway. The Behavioral Health Teaching Facility is anticipated to be substantially complete in fall 2023.