Swinerton Construction to compete $60 million Seton Medical Center renovation

AHMC Healthcare says it has launched a $60 million project to modernize and seismically retrofit AHMC Seton Medical Center in Northern California.

The year-long renovation started during the week of July 25. This $60 million investment is in addition to the $100 million AHMC has devoted since it purchased the hospital in April 2020.

Swinerton construction is in charge of the retrofit and modernization of the hospital structure including its landmark tower, which was built in 1963. The hospital is a cast-in-place concrete structure consisting of a central tower (floors 3-10) built on top of a podium (floors lower level to 2). The seismic upgrade project consists of new grade beams, structural upgrades to existing beams and columns, and ADA upgrades.

“AHMC is investing $60 million to retrofit and modernize Seton Medical Center’s to continue its history of providing vital community care and acute medical services to San Mateo County and San Francisco County,” Dr. Kenneth Sim, chairman of AHMC Seton Medical Center, said in a statement.

AHMC bought Seton out of bankruptcy from Verity Health in August 2020 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The new seismic retrofit and investments totaling $160 million to support new medical equipment and facility upgrades demonstrates AHMC is committed to keeping the failing hospital alive to service the community,” Sim said.

“AHMC’s focus is on ensuring Seton’s longstanding operations and service to San Mateo and San Francisco counties, and the California coastline. This hospital is vital because without it is a healthcare desert, as there are few nearby alternatives for our community,” Sim said.

AHMC Seton Medical Center celebrated this milestone at an official groundbreaking ceremony on July 25 with Congresswoman Jackie Speier; San Mateo County Supervisors David Canepa and Don Horsley; Sen. Scott Weiner; Assemblyman Phil Ting; Daly City Mayor Juslyn Manalo; Colma Mayor Diana Colvin; San Francisco Supervisor Ahsha Safai; Beth Andersen, California Plan President, Anthem; Jennifer Lauritzen, Project Executive, Swinerton construction; and Sarkis Vartanian, Seton interim CEO, as well as Dr. Sim, Linda Marsh, Fred Naranjo of AHMC Healthcare, and a representative of California Governor Gavin Newsom, and union leaders. More than 250 attendees were in attendence.