SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) — Plans to rebuild and expand a historic medical facility in San Francisco’s Chinatown received final city approval from Mayor Ed Lee on Wednesday.

The $160 million project for Chinese Hospital includes the demolition of the office, the construction of a state-of-the art seven-story medical facility, and the seismic upgrade of the 1924 building, which stands as San Francisco’s last independent hospital.

More than 100 people crowded in front of hospital, located at 845 Jackson Street, to see the mayor sign legislation for the improvements to commence.

KCBS’ Anna Duckworth Reports:

“This is history for all of us. It’s history for our city,” Lee said commenting that the site has long played a role in the community. “Chinese Hospital was built in a time when immigrants came here and faced discrimination. They faced a whole lot of barriers.”

Hospital CEO Brenda Lee commended the mayor for his signing and said the improvements would not be possible without him.

Community Organizer Rose Pak, who helped raise most of the funding for the project, said she first got involved with the hospital decades ago to help prevent it from being closed by the state.

Construction is expected to be complete in 2016.

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