The state is examining options for replacing Austin State Hospital, which has been in operation since 1861.

Austin State Hospital could be relocated from its 4110 Guadalupe St. campus near Hyde Park, a move that could clear the way for the sale and redevelopment of the site—depending on which option state lawmakers proceed with.In the legislative session beginning in January, the Legislature will consider six options for relocating the mental hospital, according to a Department of State Health Services report released this month Options include moving the hospital to other state-owned land in Travis, Williamson or Hays counties. However, the report deemed this option not feasible because no state-owned land in those counties is large enough—43 acres—to support a new facility.The state-run mental hospital is one of 14 such facilities in Texas. Austin State Hospital began operation in 1861 as the State Lunatic Asylum. In 1925 its name was changed to Austin State Hospital.The structure’s growing list of maintenance needs have been put off in recent years. Because of that the number of patients it can serve has seen a proportional decrease. In January 2015 the state determined Austin State Hospital needed to be replaced.Another option would be to move Austin State Hospital to non-state-owned site, which is feasible, according to the report. A specific site has not been identified.State lawmakers requested other options that were examined in the feasibility study.Two of the choices would involve consolidating the hospital with the Austin State Supported Living Center, 2203 W. 35th St., Austin, which serves people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have high medical and behavioral needs. The two facilities would either be merged at the current Austin State Hospital campus or the supported living center campus.The remaining options would entail locating a consolidated Austin State Hospital and Austin State Supported Living Center at a non-state-owned site or reconstructing Austin State Hospital on its current property.