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San Francisco updates progress on new $65 million medical examiner facility at 1 Newhall Street
Summary
City officials and contractors reported July 17 that construction of a new, voter-funded medical examiner facility in Heron's Head Park (1 Newhall Street) is on time and on budget; the 46,000 sq ft project includes earthquake resilience, improved decedent storage, bio-vestibules, secured parking and family visitor space.
City officials and the project contractor updated the public July 17 on the new San Francisco Office of the Chief Medical Examiner facility, telling attendees that the voter-approved, general-obligation-bond-funded project is proceeding on schedule.
Christopher Warwick, director of operations for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, told the audience the current medical examiner facility at the Hall of Justice, 850 Bryant Street, is outdated and constrained in storage, refrigeration and airflow — creating operational limits for autopsy and evidence handling. He said the city handles about 5,000 deaths annually.
Project staff and Stacy Suda, project executive with Clark Construction, summarized the timeline: the pre-construction contract was awarded in February 2013; construction broke ground in November 2015 with demolition and foundation work; the project has progressed through roof and exterior completion and is moving into interior finishes. The total project cost was stated as $65,000,000 and the new facility is sited at 1 Newhall Street in the Heron’s Head Park neighborhood.
Design changes aim to address recognized operational shortcomings. Speakers described the new building as roughly 46,000 square feet and two stories tall (about 42 feet): it includes expanded decedent storage and refrigeration, "bio-vestibules" that provide separated air supplies between gowning areas and autopsy suites, and interior layout permitting staff to come and go safely. The facility is designed to operate off-grid for 72 hours following a major earthquake and includes staff locker/shower and limited on-site sleeping capacity for 24-hour coverage. Project team members said approximately one-third of construction work has been carried out by small local businesses and that site improvements include new sidewalks, curb cuts, landscaping, a public sculpture and rain gardens.
The presenters described a new visitor area intended to be more family-friendly and secured parking to avoid public exposure when decedents are transported into the facility. KMD Architects were credited with design choices to increase natural light and create more humane workspace conditions in an otherwise 24-hour forensic environment. Project staff stated the project is tracking to be on time and on budget.
The presentation addressed operational benefits rather than a new policy or funding action; the funding was described as provided by a voter-approved general obligation bond. No vote was recorded in the public portion of the meeting related to this project during the session recorded in this transcript.
City staff indicated the new facility will better serve San Francisco, the county, and neighboring jurisdictions.
