Elevators, Seismic Compliance, and a Milestone for the Acequia Wing

After years of well-documented challenges with the original elevators in the Mineral King wing, we are moving forward with a full modernization of all three cabs — a complete replacement of each cab and its mechanics. Last fiscal year's budget allocated funding for this project, and we have now completed a rigorous public bid process: engaging a consultant, soliciting and evaluating bids from multiple vendors, conducting site reviews, and negotiating contracts.

Contract signing with the selected vendor is imminent. Once signed, the architect will finalize the design and submit to OSHPD (the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development) for review and approval.

The next six to eight months will be spent on design and state approvals. With tight contractual timelines and liquidated damages provisions to hold the vendor accountable, we expect to have the first elevator in service by quarter 2 of the next calendar year.

Seismic Compliance

In December, Kaweah Health submitted a formal application to OSHPD using computer modeling to demonstrate the seismic safety of the original 1969 Mineral King building. Informal conversations with the state have been very encouraging. A response was originally expected in March; due to OSHPD being overwhelmed with submissions statewide, that timeline has shifted by one to two months.

We remain optimistic. Approval would allow the building to remain in use for inpatient care beyond 2030 — providing critical flexibility for long-term planning. It is worth noting that the building's current non-compliance status is based solely on its construction date (pre-1973), not on any identified structural deficiency.

Acequia Wing

In Acequia Tower's second floor, overhead work is nearly complete for this project. A ceiling modification in one conference room is awaiting state approval — a minor change, though state timelines can be unpredictable. When finished, this project will deliver a new conference room, new space for Respiratory Therapy, and ultimately a new PACU to support cardiac procedures.

With the Acequia Tower second-floor buildout, the last remaining shelled space from the original construction of the Acequia wing will be completed. This marks a significant milestone for our organization: there is no remaining shelled space in our facilities. We have officially grown into every square foot of our current structures.