County Facilities – What’s New for 2019?

THE INVESTIGATIONS, CRIME LAB AND EVIDENCE BUILDING

You work here so you know. The County of San Diego is always looking for new and better ways to improve customer service and operations. And that includes building new facilities that are technologically up to date, energy-efficient and better designed to help us help those who need our services.

This last year alone, General Services delivered on several huge projects: A new Investigations, Crime Lab and Evidence building in Kearny Mesa, the North Coastal Live Well Health Center in Oceanside, and a trifecta ­– a new library, park and Sheriff’s office on a 19-acre property in Borrego Springs. A new Probation Training Center opened its doors in Scripps Ranch and a new fire station in Pine Valley celebrated its grand opening Dec. 18. 

So, what’s next for 2019? Take a look below:

Openings

Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk East County Operations and Archive: Construction is underway on a new 23,900-square-foot facility in Santee. The current El Cajon facility is located inside a converted bank that was built in 1957. The new structure will include modern archival storage of historical documents. Completion is scheduled for the fall.    

Santa Ysabel Nature Center: The Parks Department has begun construction on a 6,000-square-foot nature center that will include interpretive and educational exhibits, a conference room for up to 100 people, an outdoor patio, an information area, restrooms and staff offices. The center will be located next to Highways 78 and 79 in Santa Ysabel. Construction will be completed in the fall.

New Beginnings  

Sheriff’s Technology and Information Center (STIC): Construction is underway on a new project that will house the Sheriff’s Data Services and Wireless Services Divisions. This project replaces the last two remaining buildings of the original 1960s County Operations Center campus. The new center, next to the Emergency Operations Center, will include a 40,000-square-foot administration building, a 7,000-square-foot technology building and a new radio tower to replace the existing one. The larger facility will include a 2,000-square-foot media center that can be used for news conferences during regional disasters. The project is scheduled for completion in fall 2020.

Lakeside Library: The County has purchased a site for a new approximately 17,000-square-foot library which will triple the size of the current branch built in 1962. The new zero-net-energy facility will include children and teen spaces, plus a community room. Procurement of a design-build contract is underway, with completion expected in 2021.

Southeastern Live Well Center: Procurement is also underway for a design-build contract for a new Live Well Center. The facility will consolidate the existing Southeast Family Resource Center, Public Health and Mental Health Services in one location. The center will also house Probation staff and offer meeting spaces to community groups. Completion is anticipated in fall 2021.

Cedar/Kettner Development Property: Negotiations began on developing the vacant land adjoining the Cedar/Kettner parking structure for a private residential and commercial project with 57 affordable housing units. Construction could start in late 2019/early 2020.  

Ohio Street Probation Office: Design-build procurement is underway for a new facility to replace the old Ohio Street office. The new building will be designed to provide rehabilitation and treatment support services. Completion is expected in late summer 2021.

Emergency Vehicle Operations Course: The project is in the design stage and a general contractor will be hired in early 2019. Construction will begin after the property closes escrow in 2019. Completion is anticipated in 2020.    

Palomar Mountain Fire Station Living Quarters: Design is also underway for new living quarters behind the existing fire house. It will provide approximately 1,900-square-feet of living space for six personnel. The project includes renovating an office in the fire house and other site improvements. Completion is expected in 2020.

Major Renovations and Remodeling

San Diego Juvenile Justice Campus: The Kearny Mesa site will be renovated and redeveloped to include an urban camp setting, new community supervision services, housing and support facilities. The first of three phases could be completed in late 2021.  

County Administration Center: Procurement of the design and construction team for the major systems upgrade will be completed in early 2019. The mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire/life safety systems are approaching the end of their useful life and will be replaced in phases.

Bonita-Sunnyside Branch Library Expansion: Design-build procurement will complete in early 2019 for the expansion of the Bonita-Sunnyside Branch Library. Plans include a new children’s area, an expanded area for teens and various interior improvements. Completion is anticipated in fall 2020.

Planning Stages

Casa de Oro Library: A search is underway for a site to build a new approximately 15,000-square-foot library to replace the current branch located in a strip mall. The new facility will include for the first time a community room as well as specific areas for teens and children.  

Health Services Complex Replacement: Planning is underway to redevelop the Health Services Complex in the Midway District into a County Live Well Campus. The project would replace the Rosecrans facility, consolidate associated HHSA functions in the new building and provide a parking structure. The site will also be evaluated for the addition of affordable housing.  

For more information on planned and proposed construction projects, see General Services’ Current Capital Projects list.