Governor praises workforce, says project is "on time and on budget"

Governor Bob Ferguson told attendees the topping-out marked an "incredible" day and publicly thanked the workforce for delivering the project's progress. He said he had spent time at Western State Hospital earlier in his term and called the facility a place where "some of the most important work that happens in our state will happen here." "Those five words are on time and on budget," the governor said, praising the construction team's work.

Ferguson closed by introducing Angela Ramirez, who followed with remarks about staff involvement in the facility's design and the project's expected opening to patients in fall 2028.