State Wants to Replace Austin State Hospital

Texas health officials are looking at plans to replace the aged Austin State Hospital, as well as other mental health facilities throughout the Lone Star State. Replacing the 160-year-old Austin State Hospital, located at 410 Guadalupe St., is part of a $300 million initiative to boost the state’s psychiatric hospital system.

The Texas Legislature approved the monies to help improve the system, with the first disbursement to total $48 million. Those funds will be used to plan for the replacement of the Austin State Hospital and its counterpart in San Antonio at 6711 S. New Braunfels Ave. UT Dell Medical School will lead development of the $15.5 million master plan for the Austin facility’s replacement.

The 300-bed Austin State Hospital is for people with severe mental illnesses. However, the facility has struggled with high staff turnovers and injuries of patients and staff.

For comments, questions or concerns, please contact Texas Commercial Real Estate News Editor Amy Sorter