Public facilities are the places where government performs its most essential function—service to people. Public buildings provide the tools for the administration and delivery of services. Public buildings are centers of learning, gathering places, and work spaces for public employees and representatives. Within the walls of these buildings they teach, learn, heal, protect, administer justice, and make or oversee public policy.

Public facilities in California include:

• 8.5 million square feet of state-owned office space
• 16.6 million square feet of leased office space
• 5 mental health hospitals comprising over 4 million square feet of facilities and 2,300 acres
• 5 developmental centers compromising over 5 million square feet of facilities and over 2,000 acres
• 2 public health laboratory facilities
• 451 court buildings