Pankow Builders and County of Los Angeles Celebrate Ribbon Cutting of New 34,000 SF Behavioral Health Campus at Los Angeles General Medical Center
LOS ANGELES, CA. — Pankow Builders, alongside the County of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County Public Works, the Department of Mental Health (LACDMH), the Department of Public Health (LACDPH), and design partner SmithGroup, proudly announced the ribbon cutting of the new Los Angeles General Mental Health Urgent Care Center (MHUCC) and Residential Withdrawal Management Facility (RWMF).
Spanning 34,000 square feet on the Los Angeles General Medical Center campus, the state-of-the-art facility represents a critical step forward in addressing the region’s behavioral healthcare needs. Delivered through a collaborative Design-Build approach, the project provides an integrated, continuum-of-care model that combines immediate crisis stabilization with longer-term recovery support.
The completed campus includes:
A 24-Chair Adult Mental Health Urgent Care Center (MHUCC): Providing rapid, 24/7 outpatient crisis stabilization as a compassionate alternative to emergency room visits or incarceration.
A 32-Bed Residential Withdrawal Management Facility (RWMF): Offering medically monitored, clinically managed residential withdrawal services to support individuals navigating the initial stages of substance use recovery.
Healing-Centered, Biophilic Design: Interior spaces filled with natural daylight, secure outdoor courtyards, and warm materials specifically chosen to foster human dignity, reduce stress, and promote patient and staff well-being.
“From the onset, this project was envisioned as far more than just a physical building, it was about establishing an environment where patients receive compassionate, dignified treatment connected to light and nature,” said Elton Murakami, Regional Vice President, Pankow Builders. “Delivering a facility of this significance requires deep alignment and transparency. We are immensely grateful to the County of Los Angeles, Public Works, the Departments of Mental Health and Public Health, SmithGroup, and our dedicated trade partners for their shared commitment to the community.”
The project leveraged progressive Design-Build delivery, allowing the county, design team, and builders to streamline decision-making, manage complex clinical requirements, and deliver the facility safely and efficiently.
With construction complete and the ribbon officially cut, the facility is now prepared to open its doors and serve thousands of individuals and families throughout Los Angeles County each year.
About Pankow Builders
Pankow Builders is pleased to celebrate 60 years as an industry leader. Pankow has benefited clients through creative problem-solving, engineering expertise, and construction innovation. Pioneers of Design-Build and Integrated Project Delivery, we provide Design-Build, Design-Assist, general contracting, and tenant improvement services and specialize in complex projects and work in occupied facilities. We apply new construction tools, processes, and technologies, such as BIM Planning and Execution, and Virtual Design and Construction, Lean Delivery, and Alternative Energy Solutions – delivering a complete range of high-quality construction services to clients in the office, aviation, retail, hospitality, residential, healthcare, education, tenant improvement, and mixed-use market sectors. Founded in 1963, Pankow has 60 years of continuous presence in California in Los Angeles, Pasadena, Oakland, San Francisco, and San Jose.
