County of San Mateo Health Campus Grand Opening

New Health Campus Opens for San Mateo County

Demolition Scope Supported Major Health Campus Redevelopment

After years of complex construction efforts and careful coordination, San Mateo County celebrated the official opening of its newly redeveloped Health Campus on December 12, 2025, unveiling a transformed public health facility designed to better meet California’s seismic safety standards and the evolving needs of the community.

As part of the San Mateo County Health Campus redevelopment, FERMA Corporation completed extensive demolition, sawcutting, environmental coordination, and site preparation services that enabled the campus’s transformation.

The work encompassed approximately 180,000 square feet across two major structures, including the original 1954 hospital building and a newer Health Services Building (HSB). All work was performed within an active campus environment and required careful sequencing, precision techniques, and strict safety controls.

Complex Structural Demolition

One of the most technically demanding aspects of the project involved the selective demolition of the 1954 hospital building while preserving the easterly structural wall to the top of slab.

To safely execute the work, FERMA implemented a highly controlled demolition sequence. Perpendicular concrete walls were temporarily left in place to maintain stability and reduced incrementally as demolition progressed. The retained wall was sawcut into 6-foot by 6-foot sections, crane-supported during cutting, and removed in a stepped sequence from the top down to minimize unsupported concrete conditions.

Multiple sawcutting crews worked simultaneously from the north and south ends toward the center, maintaining balance and structural control throughout the process. Core drilling was performed to accommodate lifting cables and slurry evacuation, with all saw slurry vacuumed into approved containers and disposed of in accordance with ACM handling requirements.

Once wall removal was complete, remaining slabs, foundations, and basement areas were demolished, and demolition voids and utility tunnels were backfilled and compacted.

Precision Building Separation

FERMA also performed precision building separation between the 1954 hospital building and the adjacent newer Health Services Building. Advanced sawcutting methods were used to cleanly separate the structures while protecting the remaining building and allowing for construction of permanent closures.

Selective & Basement Demolition

The scope included interior selective demolition to support downstream construction activities, along with basement demolition at both the 1954 hospital building and the Health Services Building.

All embankments resulting from basement and footing removal were left in safe condition in compliance with OSHA guidelines, ensuring site stability throughout the work.

Environmental & Hazardous Materials Coordination

Environmental compliance was a critical component of the project. FERMA managed the removal and disposal of asbestos-containing materials in accordance with hazardous materials surveys prepared by SCA Environmental.

Additional scope included removal of fluorescent lamps and ballasts, hydraulic oil from elevators, refrigerant recovery from rooftop mechanical equipment, and disposal of universal waste such as exit signs and thermostats.

Site Demolition & Infrastructure Removal

Beyond building demolition, FERMA completed extensive site demolition and utility work, including removal of sidewalks, curbs, gutters, trash enclosures, parking lot lighting and bases, monument signage, fencing, bollards, landscaping, trees, and underground utilities.

Concrete, masonry, and asphalt materials were segregated and transported to recycling facilities, while baserock beneath paved areas was gathered, loaded, and hauled off site.

Safety, Logistics & Regulatory Coordination

Throughout the project, FERMA implemented erosion control measures, dust control, and traffic and pedestrian safety protocols. Required notifications were coordinated with Underground Service Alert, BAAQMD, and Cal/OSHA.

Street sweeping and site cleanliness were maintained to support ongoing operations and minimize impacts to surrounding areas.

Laying the Groundwork for a Modern Health Campus

The successful execution of these early-phase demolition and site preparation efforts allowed subsequent construction to proceed efficiently, contributing to the delivery of a modern, resilient health campus now serving San Mateo County and the surrounding community.