Massive New Western State Hospital to Reshape Lakewood

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Lakewood is getting a new $947 million, 350-bed Western State Hospital forensic facility, now under construction on Steilacoom Boulevard and slated to open by August 2028. State officials have briefed the Lakewood City Council on design renderings, security plans, and emphasized it's the largest non-road construction project in Washington history.

Why it matters

The new Western State Hospital will have a significant impact on the Lakewood community, bringing both opportunities and challenges. As the largest non-road construction project in the state, it will reshape the local landscape and economy, requiring careful planning and collaboration between state officials and the city.

The details

The new Western State Hospital facility will be a 350-bed forensic hospital, focused on providing mental health treatment and services to individuals involved in the criminal justice system. The project is currently under construction on Steilacoom Boulevard and is slated to open by August 2028. State officials have presented design renderings and security plans to the Lakewood City Council, emphasizing the scale of the $947 million project, which they say is the largest non-road construction undertaking in Washington's history.

• Construction on the new Western State Hospital facility began in 2024.
• The hospital is scheduled to open in August 2028.

What’s next

As the construction of the new Western State Hospital continues, the Lakewood City Council and community will need to work closely with state officials to ensure a smooth transition and address any concerns or challenges that arise.