The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and California Prison Health Care Services (CPHCS) recently broke ground on a $906 million, 1,722-bed inmate medical facility in Stockton.

The 1.2 million-sq-ft facility will include a central kitchen area, diagnostic and treatment center, warehouse and support areas. Security will include a 13-ft-high lethal electrified fence surrounding the facility and 11, 45-ft-tall guard towers.

Sacramento-based URS-Bovis Lend Lease Joint Venture was awarded the construction management consultant contract as part of its ongoing work with CPHCS. Sacramento-based Kitchell CEM was the criteria architect. The RFQ for the $140-million bid package #1, which includes site work utilities, grading and the electrical fence, is due Nov. 19. A second, approximately $600-million RFQ to build the actual residence and medical facilities will be due Dec. 10.

�It will be a two-step best value process,� says Michael Meredith, project manager for CDCR. The estimated 10 to 12 teams submitting will be narrowed down to five that will be interviewed, then three companies will be asked to submit RFPs.

A separate abatement and demolition package will go to bid in early spring. Construction is expected to be completed within three years.

The Stockton healthcare facility is the CDCR�s third construction project launched this year as part of a $7.7 billion effort to reduce overcrowding as part of Assembly Bill 900. In June, CDCR broke ground on a 64-bed intermediate-care mental health facility at California Medical Facility in Vacaville and a 45-bed acute/intermediate-care mental health facility for female inmates at California Institution for Women in Corona.

AB 900, also known as the Public Safety and Offender Rehabilitation Services Act of 2007, was signed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on May 3, 2007, and provides $7.7 billion to add 53,000 prison and jail beds. The legislation provided funding for beds for treatment and rehabilitation and to reduce prison overcrowding.

�We have made tremendous progress on construction projects initiated by AB 900,� says CDCR Secretary Matthew Cate. �This new health care facility will enhance safety and security at all CDCR prisons, while creating new jobs in San Joaquin County. It supports our mission, frees up bed space and staff at other facilities and contributes to the local economy.�

The Stockton medical facility will treat physically and mentally ill state prison inmates.

Construction activities will support nearly 5,500 jobs in the regional economy, including up to 1,700 construction workers a day on site, according to the CDCR. Upon completion, the facility will create more than 2,400 civil servant jobs and infuse an estimated $220 million annually into the San Joaquin County economy. As a part of this project, San Joaquin County will receive an estimated $1 million in sales tax revenue from construction materials, equipment and supplies. San Joaquin General Hospital will be paid to establish a 25-bed guarded medical unit.