San Mateo Medical Center Health Campus Completes Major Renovation & Expansion

San Mateo, California- San Mateo County's public hospital has been transformed into a state-of-the-art health care campus, rebuilt to meet California's seismic safety standards and reimagined to better serve patients and staff.

Community leaders gathered today to celebrate the opening, calling it a major investment in public health and a welcome upgrade for the tens of thousands of residents who rely on the County for medical and other care.

The multiyear project replaced two 1950s-era buildings that no longer met California's seismic standards with modern facilities that consolidate medical care, social services and administrative offices on a single, more accessible site.

"The expansion of the San Mateo Medical Center campus reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering world-class health care and supportive services in facilities that are not only state-of-the-art but also beautiful, accessible and welcoming," said Mike Callagy, county executive officer. "Our message to the community is simple: we see you, we hear you, and we are committed to delivering the health care and supportive services you deserve."

The campus, located on 37th Avenue in San Mateo, houses San Mateo Medical Center, the County Coroner's Office, the Public Health Laboratory and a range of social and administrative services that support patients across the county. San Mateo Medical Center serves as the County's primary safety-net hospital, caring for residents who are uninsured, underinsured or otherwise unable to access private health systems.

"Every improvement made here expands access for the people who rely on us most," said Colleen Chawla, chief of County Health. "This project ensures that our public hospital and other safety-net programs can continue to support our local community safely and effectively for decades to come."

The redesign is intended to bring essential services together in one place, reducing the need for patients to navigate multiple sites. County officials said the approach mirrors the model guiding the North County Wellness Center in South San Francisco, where medical, dental and social services will be consolidated when that facility opens in 2026.

The health campus project was launched in 2016 to meet California's seismic safety standards for hospitals. Two seismically noncompliant buildings from the 1950s were demolished - the original hospital structure and the Health Services building. County Health's administrative and public-facing services have been accommodated in the new construction or were relocated to other County Health facilities.

The new construction includes an 87,000-square-foot administration building and a link building that serves as a main entrance and meeting space. The improvements also include renovation of approximately 35,000 square feet of the hospital.

The campus' exterior footprint was adjusted to level some of the hillside slope, making walking and wheelchair access easier. An additional 250 parking spaces have been added, which will relieve stress on nearby streets. Parking stalls compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) have doubled to 66 spaces, along with 44 charging stations for electric vehicles. The new main entrance on 37th Avenue is now served directly by a bus stop, and for every tree removed in the project, 4 are being planted.

Public-facing administrative services, such as those for billing, patient records and health coverage, have been brought together near the 37th Avenue entrance, making it easier for patients to manage their accounts and access additional services in a single location.

Patients, visitors and staff can also enjoy two new cafeterias offering a variety of fresh and prepared menu options. New classrooms provide learning spaces for education and training, while outdoor meeting areas provide a welcoming, relaxing place for people to meet and work together.

The new campus also provides 10,000 square feet for the Office of the Coroner's administrative and investigative divisions. The space includes advanced imaging, refrigeration and storage equipment for conducting autopsies and working with law enforcement.

The Public Health Laboratory moved from a small suite in the former Health Services building into a state-of-the-art Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) facility, allowing staff to safely handle dangerous pathogens, test for emerging diseases and strengthen public health preparedness.

Sustainability guided the overall design from the beginning. The project is on track to achieve LEED Silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council and includes a total of 1,360 photovoltaic solar modules that generate over 6,000 watts of green energy, along with exterior wood paneling made from sustainably harvested materials, veneered over a recycled plastic base.

The renovation was one of the most complex construction projects in County history and required close coordination among the County Executive's Office, Project Development Unit, Department of Public Works, city of San Mateo, Sheriff's Office, fire officials and community partners. Work proceeded despite COVID-19 shutdowns, supply chain delays, workforce shortages and severe winter storms. The most challenging part was renovating around a hospital operating 24/7 while meeting the requirements of California's Department of Health Care Access and Information.

The $217 million project was financed by a lease revenue bond issued by the County in 2018.

Preston Merchant

Communications Officer

San Mateo County Health

Press Contact: (650) 867-1661

Press Email: [email protected]