Texas Breaks Ground On Construction At Rusk State Hospital

AUSTIN – Texas Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Dr. Courtney N. Phillips, along with state and local officials, today broke ground on a $200 million construction project at Rusk State Hospital.

HHS is building a new 225,000-square-foot patient complex that will include a 100-bed non-maximum security unit and a 100-bed maximum-security unit.

This project will also include the construction of a new administrative building.

Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Legislature approved funding for the construction of modern facilities to replace outdated buildings at the hospital.

The construction projects at Rusk State Hospital are part of the $745 million Texas is investing to revitalize and transform several state psychiatric hospitals.

“The dream of providing modern mental health care and treatment in state-of-the-art facilities is about to become a reality. And there could be no finer location, nor better legacy to build upon, than that of the Rusk State Hospital,” Rep. Travis Clardy said.

HHS worked with The University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Sustainable Development on developing a design for hospitals that can support modern mental health care and make it easier for providers to offer patients the best care possible.

Primary design features include single-person rooms, the use of natural light throughout patient rooms and common areas, and outdoor spaces to promote recovery and healing.

“We’re proud of the connection our community has had to the hospital for 100 years and we’re thrilled Rusk is going to continue to be a place where people heal,” Rusk City Manager Jim Dunaway said. “Along with being a great partner, the hospital is our largest employer which benefits the entire city of Rusk.”

This project is expected to create several hundred construction jobs in the local community. Rusk State Hospital will continue to serve patients while construction is ongoing.

The new buildings will be located on the existing 623-acre campus. Construction is expected to be completed in 2024.

For more information about state hospital construction projects throughout the state, visit the Changes to the State Hospital System page on the HHS website.