(San Antonio) - Construction has started for a new 88-bed patient tower at San Antonio Military Medical Center (SAMMC) at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. The tower is part of Phase I of the $556 million SAMMC project, which will consolidate Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston and Wilford Hall Medical Center at Lackland Air Force Base.

SAMMC, which will have North and South campuses, will consist of renovations to the existing Brooke Army Medical Center, a new parking structure and a new central energy plant. The project, which was designed by RTKL to LEED-Silver specifications, will total 1.1 million sf upon completion.

The general contractor is a partnership between Clark Construction Group and Hunt Construction Group. Phase I completion is slated for fall 2011.