PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. — After years of lawsuits and fines regarding the state’s treatment of people with mental illness, Aaron Martinez said Washington state has reason to celebrate.
Martinez is heading up the Department of Social and Health Services expansion of Western State Hospital in Pierce County. Construction crews are demolishing 12 structures on the campus to make room for a new 350-bed facility.
”This is once in a lifetime. DSHS has been waiting for this process, and just getting to this point is just like a dream come true,” said Martinez.
On Monday morning, an excavator started dismantling a 99-year-old building used as a chapel.
When originally approved by legislators, the new facility was estimated to cost $612 million dollars. Martinez said the estimated costs are now $947 million.
The additional bed space will enable the state to provide more services to forensic patients, those found not guilty by reason of insanity or those going through competency restoration before standing trial.
For a daily roundup of everything you need to know for across western Washington, sign up for our 5 Things to Know email newsletter.
Watch KING 5's top stories on YouTube