City Constructs MASH-Like Care Facility at Pasadena Convention Center

Pasadena City Council recently approved funding for the Pasadena Convention center to be turned into an alternate care facility for Covid-19 patients in coordination with the Huntington Hospital, Thursday, April 16, 2020. (photo by James Carbone)

Pasadena City Manager Steve Mermell discusses the recent Pasadena City Council approval for funding for the Pasadena Convention center to be turned into an alternate care facility for Covid-19 patients in coordination with the Huntington Hospital, Thursday, April 16, 2020. (photo by James Carbone)

Pasadena Acting Fire Chief Bryan Frieders, center, has a conversation with members of the Pasadena Police Department about the Pasadena Convention Center being turned into an alternative care facility for Covid-19 patients, Thursday, April 16, 2020. (photo by James Carbone)

Pasadena Chief of Police John Perez, right, and Pasadena Vice Mayor Tyron Hampton at the Pasadena Convention Center Thursday, April 16, 2020. (photo by James Carbone)

A room is ready for a patient after the Pasadena City Council recently approved funding for the Pasadena Convention center to be turned into an alternate care facility for Covid-19 patients in coordination with the Huntington Hospital, Thursday, April 16, 2020. (photo by James Carbone)

A small bed is ready for a patient after the Pasadena City Council recently approved funding for the Pasadena Convention center to be turned into an alternate care facility for Covid-19 patients in coordination with the Huntington Hospital, Thursday, April 16, 2020. (photo by James Carbone)

Signs are posted for Covid-19 patients after the Pasadena City Council recently approved funding for the Pasadena Convention center to be turned into an alternate care facility for Covid-19 patients in coordination with the Huntington Hospital, Thursday, April 16, 2020. (photo by James Carbone)

Pasadena Vice Mayor Tyron Hampton, center, and the Pasadena Convention Center Operating Team pose for a picture at the Pasadena Convention Center Thursday, April 16, 2020. (photo by James Carbone)

City officials today unveiled a 250-bed alternate care facility, constructed over the last week at the Pasadena Convention Center, to be activated should the number of Coronavirus cases overwhelm nearby Huntington Hospital.

City Manager Steve Mermell said at a press conference this morning that, at peak, Huntington may be short about 400 beds necessary to treat COVID-19 patients. The City Council last week approved funding for three months of operation, but Mermell said that the facility is prepared to stay open “indefinitely.”

“We have outfitted this facility with 250 beds,” said Mermell, “but with our capacity, we can go beyond that. However, our most sincere hope is that we don’t have to use this.”

Acting Fire Chief Brian Frieders also said that, if necessary, the setup “could be ready tonight.”

“These are unprecedented times,” said Vice-Mayor Tyron Hampton, who was on hand at the unveiling, “And we are prepared for a worst case scenario here in Pasadena, and to help our neighboring cities here in the San Gabriel Valley. The City Council and myself made sure that the City was prepared if anything happens.”

According to Mermell, the initial cost of the facility was $240,000, plus $160,000, for every month thereafter, for a total 90-day cost of about $700,000.