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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 21, 2002

Ceremony begins construction of new psychiatric hospital

New facility last key element in comprehensive mental health service network

Alaska Governor Tony Knowles, Health and Social Services Commissioner Jay Livey, Legislators, and officials from Alaska Psychiatric Institute and the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority participated in a groundbreaking ceremony today at the construction site in Anchorage for the replacement facility for Alaska’s only public psychiatric hospital. The 108,000 square foot facility with 72 bed capacity will be constructed at a total cost of $41.7 million, and completed in early 2005.

"It’s been a long time coming, and it’s great to finally turn some dirt," Governor Tony Knowles said. "This project is one of the most important steps ever taken to give Alaskans the best mental health care - a new, modern, more efficient psychiatric hospital."
“With this symbolic groundbreaking today, we culminate a 15 year process to replace Alaska’s only state psychiatric hospital - a foundational component of our mental health system,” Commissioner Livey said. “Although it is a ‘bricks and mortar’ facility, the services provided there represent the safety net for Alaskans in psychiatric crisis when they need more intensive care than community services can provide. This groundbreaking represents the fruits of a true partnership between the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, the Legislative and Executive Branches, mental health advocates, and consumers to build a comprehensive mental health system.”

The new 72 bed facility will have five patient units to serve distinct populations with differing needs and will provide critical inpatient hospital care for Alaskans from throughout the state. “The new hospital is an essential element of Alaska’s comprehensive mental health system. But it is only part of a much larger system of mental health services. With the new facility in the works we must focus the partnership that got us here today on strengthening the private community-based treatment alternatives to hospitalization at API,” Livey said.

The new facility will help support efforts to better integrate hospital and community care and facilitate enhancements to the quality of care provided at API. “This gets to the heart of why we are building a new facility - improving the quality of care and assisting in recovery of patients,” said Livey. A quality improvement effort began at API as part of the overall effort to develop community-based alternatives to hospitalization – part of an overall plan to replace the hospital and build an integrated mental health service system.

The new facility is being constructed through a new design/build process linking those responsible for design and construction into a single team. “We spent countless hours in preparing the design/build procurement. But all that thought and consideration paid off. We are getting the best value for the public funds we are investing in this project because we have designed a modern facility tailored exactly to the needs of our patients.”
“Improving the quality of care will continue when construction is over, and when our staff of professionals goes to work in a new facility. The quest for quality care will continue as long as Alaska operates this facility.”

Printable copy of this press release

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Fact sheet, new State Psychiatric Hospital

  • Total cost $41.7 million

  • Completion date March 2005

  • 108,000 square feet, 72 bed capacity

  • Located adjacent to current API facility on land donated to the State by the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority

  • Building orients inpatient wings and exterior courtyards to maximize their privacy and their exposure to sunlight

  • Building efficiently organized around wide “Main Street” central circulation corridor

Includes

  • Five patient units

  • Administrative offices

  • Therapeutic areas including full size gymnasium, meditation room, and others.

  • Operational support areas

  • Parking area, 185 spaces

For more information, please contact

Ross Soboleff
Public Information Officer III
Department of Health and Social Services
(907) 465-1611
Email: ross_soboleff@health.state.ak.us