Topping off marks milestone at North County Wellness Center in South San Francisco

California Construction News staff writer

San Mateo County reached a significant construction achievement last week with a topping-off ceremony for the North County Wellness Center, marking the completion of the building’s structural framework and signaling a major step forward in the ambitious project.

Attended by members of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, the event honored the construction workers, contractor XL Construction, and architect SmithGroup for their dedication and skill.

The Wellness Center, a three-story mass timber structure of approximately 77,600 to 78,000 square feet, is designed to consolidate a range of vital services under one roof. The facility will accommodate clinical care areas (HCAI-3), health and dental clinics, and provide office space for county functions including the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, Medi-Cal enrollment, and satellite offices for the District Attorney and Treasurer/Tax Collector.

Groundbreaking took place in August 2024 for what is projected to be a LEED Gold–certified building. Sustainable features include mass timber construction, raised access flooring, recycled materials, EV chargers, solar energy, native landscaping, and bicycle parking.

Completion of the structural framework keeps the project on track for substantial completion in 2026, with opening expected in early 2027.

The $132.5 million project is part of the county’s strategic investment in expanding access to health care and social services in North County, particularly for residents eligible for Medi-Cal and related programs.