Regents approve roughly $300 million for Alvarado (East Campus) hospital seismic upgrades

The Board of Regents approved item B2 on March 17, authorizing university leaders to proceed with an approximately $300 million program to make Alvarado (East Campus) Hospital seismically compliant and upgrade the facility.

Vice President Nathan Brostrom told the board the system acquired Alvarado in December 2023 for roughly $200 million and has since invested “a couple hundred million” in upgrades. He said the hospital has 302 beds and serves an underserved neighborhood south of Interstate 8 in San Diego. Brostrom told the regents that the acquisition has allowed care‑setting transfers from UC academic campuses and has improved quality metrics; he said the East Campus now ranks higher on several measures after the system’s management changes.

Chair Riley moved the item and it passed by roll call. During the roll call, Regent Brooks recorded an abstention; the item was otherwise approved.

Brostrom said the requested funding would be used to make the facility seismically compliant, complete system‑level renovations and add services that are medically and financially accretive to the system. He noted the university had expected to need $150–$250 million for seismic work earlier in the acquisition process and that the current request reflects both seismic requirements and broader programmatic upgrades.

The board recessed into closed session after approving item B2; university leaders said further procurement and project schedule details will be presented to the board and reported publicly as the work advances.