A new $45 million hospital in Tacoma, Wash., is expected to create more than 40 construction jobs and 300 hospital jobs.
MultiCare Health System and CHI Franciscan Health, both in Tacoma, broke ground on the facility Sept. 29.
The Tacoma Behavioral Health Hospital will be a nonprofit facility with 120 beds, treating about 5,000 patients annually, the health systems said via news release. The hospital's focus will be "treating behavioral health and co-existing secondary chemical dependency conditions" as well as offering critical behavioral health services.
"This groundbreaking marks the beginning of our efforts to address the significant need for behavioral health services in our state, particularly in Pierce and South King counties," said CHI Franciscan Health CEO Ketul Patel. "Our new hospital will increase access for individuals and families in need of crucial high-quality behavioral healthcare and is another step in our journey to improve the health and wellness of our communities."
Hospital officials began efforts for the project in 2014 and expect construction to be completed next year.