CONSTRUCTION BEGINS FOR 76,000-SQUARE-FOOT V.A. FACILITY

PALO ALTO, CALIF. — Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System is breaking ground for the development of an 80-bed Inpatient Mental Health Center in Palo Alto. The 76,000-square-foot facility will include a mental health research and office pavilion; a utility complex; enclosed, landscaped gardens; and natural light sources for all internal patient and staff areas, as well as private and semi-private rooms with private bathrooms. Upon completion, all inpatient beds will operate in the new facility, which will house four units consisting of 20 beds each. McCarthy Building Companies is serving as general contractor for the project, which was designed by Design Partnership. Completion is scheduled for 2011.