BCH Oakland Modernization Weekly Construction Update
July 29 – August 5, 2026
Milestones & Momentum
Strong Coordination with Facilities Operations Keeps the New Hospital Project Moving Forward
Working behind the scenes, both the New Hospital Building (NHB) project team and BCH Oakland Facilities Operations coordinate every phase of construction to keep the hospital operating safely and smoothly. Their close planning, frequent communication, and proactive problem-solving have already helped the project overcome significant challenges and are playing a key role as preparations continue for the upcoming demolition of the AB/BC buildings, which is expected to start in mid-October.
Both the BCH Oakland Facilities Director and the New Hospital Building Construction Superintendent credit the team's exceptional collaboration for these successes, noting that this level of coordination is rare on projects of this size and complexity. At UCSF, however, this kind of cross-functional collaboration has become a hallmark of successful capital projects, bringing together multiple stakeholders and partners to keep projects safe, on schedule, and focused on serving our community.
In Oakland, a key contributor to this success is the Health Facilities CRM (Construction, Renovation, and Maintenance) team, led by Senior Chief Engineer Chris Shirar. Engineers Gary Lunceford and Anthony Rios work alongside BCH Oakland Building Engineer Ian Shelmire to troubleshoot and coordinate the many building systems that must be modified or maintained to support demolition of the AB/BC buildings..
Pictured Above: The BCH Oakland Facilities Operations and New Hospital Building (NHB) Project Coordination Team, from left to right Brad Rowell, UCSF Real Estate Associate Director of Projects for BCH Oakland (NHB); Desmond Rodgers, R&S Construction Assistant Superintendent (NHB); Sarn Saeteurn, Contra Costa Electric (NHB); Quentin Galvin, Southland Industries (NHB); Gary Lunceford, UCSF Facilities Operations Stationary Engineer for Construction, Renovation, and Maintenance (CRM) (BCH Oakland); Ian Shelmire, UCSF Health Facilities Operations (BCH Oakland); (not in photo, Danny De Leon, Associate Facilities Director UCSF Health Facilities and Support Operations (BCH Oakland).
Upcoming Impacts and Mitigations
- 4 a.m. - 6 a.m. Saturday, August 3, 2026: The main hospital pedestrian entrance will be closed to replace the exterior walkway mat. Signs will direct pedestrians to the temporary side entrance.
- Now - Late August 2026: The sidewalks surrounding Temescal Hall are closed as crews continue to restore the sidewalks, curbs, gutters, install landscaping, and complete exterior artwork.
- Now – August 3, 2026: Utility work is scheduled for the corner of 52nd Street and Martin Luther King (MLK) Jr. Way. Two-way traffic will be reduced to two lanes, and flaggers will direct traffic.
- Levels 3 and 4 of the AB/BC buildings are an active construction site, and access is permanently closed.
- Abatement work is underway for demolition.
- Observe signage in the area.
Dates and details are subject to change.
Additional Updates
- Milestones and Momentum for the BCH Oakland Modernization Project, July 2026: Strong Coordination with Hospital Facilities Operations Keeps Hospital Project Moving, Preserving the Past During AB/BC Building Demolition; and more.
- Important Emergency Exit Information
- No Parking at the Northbound Curb of Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Purpose of the Modernization Project
UCSF is modernizing the UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland (BCH Oakland) campus. The BCH Oakland Modernization Project includes the construction of the New Hospital Building (NHB) and Administrative Support Building (ASB) to ensure that future generations of children have access to cutting-edge research-backed care in a healing environment.