As construction continues on the $947 million Western State Hospital Facility in Lakewood, the state Department of Social and Health Services provided an update to the Lakewood City Council on April 13. The new 350-bed forensic hospital will serve patients who need mental health restoration treatment as part of their criminal-court orders. Although 13 buildings at the 9601 Steilacoom Boulevard SW campus were demolished for the new facility, a majority of existing hospital structures will remain. The new hospital is expected to open by August 2028.
David Chipchase, quality manager of Western State Hospital, stated that this is “the largest project in all the state of Washington monetarily, minus road construction.” Design renderings depicted a sprawling interconnected campus with flowering courtyards for staff and patients surrounded by buildings, rather than tall barbed wire fences. The exterior will feature a basket-weave style facade that “ties in nicely to the Pacific Northwest.” Renderings of the visitor entrance, cafe, and exercise rooms showed modern, open, well-lit spaces. Each of the 350 patients will have their own rooms with individual bathrooms, showers, and toilets.
Western State Hospital selected an architect firm with experience building forensic hospitals that do not resemble jails. Chipchase explained that the design is intentional: patients will not be triggered and “be in more of a mindset to be able to heal.” The new enclosed courtyards are designed to prevent escapes, according to Mark Thompson, CEO of the Western State Hospital Bruce Gage Center of Forensic Excellence.
On March 31, a 45-year-old patient escaped from Western State Hospital, and police found hospital staff had not followed protocol to prevent it. Some patients, particularly those found not guilty by reason of insanity, earn privileges like escorted outings or unescorted grounds walks. Thompson said that whenever an escape or “unauthorized leave” occurs, staff contact local law enforcement, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, defense attorneys, and victims. Within five minutes of the escape, the Lakewood Police Department was notified. Thompson stated that if a patient is found missing, staff will implement ward lockdowns and conduct census checks before beginning notification to agencies. Most public awareness of escapes comes through the press, he noted.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/apr/19/what-will-new-western-state-hospital-look-like/