Sonoma builder constructs treatment facility at SSU

GMH Builders of Sonoma partnered with architect firm NM&R to construct an Alternative Care Site (ACS) at Sonoma State University earlier this month.

Sonoma County decided to build the ACS to combat potentially overfilled hospitals in the future and to fulfill a state requirment in the reopening process. The SSU site is now available to patients who need nursing care but cannot stay home or those convalescing after hospital discharge, saving hospital beds for patients who require critical medical care.

GMH Builders installed 70 high-efficiency particulate air, or HEPA, filtrations systems to recirculate and clean more than 8 million cubic feet of air per hour.

Construction also included decontamination areas and shower facilities dedicated to healthcare personnel. In the event of a power outage, the facility can be powered by a generator.

“The work was slated to take two weeks and we completed it in six days,” said president Seth Maze, in a press release announcing the the project. He said that his company worked closely with the Sonoma County Dept. of Health Services, Department Operations Center, the Community Development Commission, local and state fire marshals and subcontractors Peterson Builders, McClure Electric, Petersen Mechanical and Bright Event Rental to complete the project ahead of schedule.

“We’re proud to serve our community by supporting healthcare’s front line of defense,” said Maze.