UKIAH, Calif. – “Make ready” work has begun in preparation for the construction of the new Ukiah Valley Medical Center emergency department, intensive care unit and roof top helipad scheduled to open in early 2016.  

The make ready work includes rerouting major utilities at the back of the campus and relocating and upgrading electrical and mechanical systems for the existing hospital.

Herrero Builders of San Francisco was awarded the general contract for the project and has been engaging local contractors wherever possible on the project.  

Wipf Construction of Ukiah has been involved since January in locating existing services, planning the rerouting locations and new line relocations.  

“Ernie’s (Wipf) counsel and advice has been invaluable both in the early planning and current stages of the project,” said Project Manager Jane Lund of Herrero.

Employee parking has also been impacted by the make ready work and will continue to be so throughout the construction.  

Valley Paving out of Redwood Valley paved the new parking lot for medical center employees on the empty lot north of the hospital on Hospital Drive.  

“Construction on the back side of the hospital makes it necessary for our employees to have safe, convenient parking without utilizing our patient and visitor parking areas,” says Becky Ryan, UVMC construction coordinator.

“It was and is of the utmost importance to us that local vendors and contractors have the opportunity to participate in our campus expansion,” states President and Chief Executive Officer Gwen Matthews, “Herrero is aware of this commitment and has held an open house on the project for local contractors.  They are making every effort to engage local vendors who can meet the California State Healthcare Construction standards.”

Interested contractors can learn more about the project by contacting Leah Wade at Herrero Builders in San Francisco at 415-824-7675, or by contacting Jane Lund at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 415-717-7328.