Desert Research and Extension Center (REC) Engagement Center

Desert Research and Extension Center (REC) Engagement Center

The proposed project would be located at University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resource’s (UC ANR) existing Desert Research and Extension Center (REC) in the central portion of Imperial County in Southern California. The Proposed Project will occur entirely within the developed area of the Desert REC site at the northeast corner of the intersection Holton Road and Meloland Road, which is referred to as the Project Site. The Proposed Project would redevelop the southwest corner of the Desert REC site to create an Engagement Center, incorporating a combination of indoor event and classroom space, outdoor demonstration gardens and landscapes, as well as other associated uses. This redevelopment includes the demolition of Building 302 (a former residence) and Garage 302, the construction of an approximately 6,975 square feet engagement center building, the construction of a 600 square foot greenhouse, and the remodel of Building 301 (also a former residence). The Engagement Center building will include a classroom, office, and storage areas, as well as bathrooms, an engagement space, and a demonstration kitchen. The Proposed Project will also create an outdoor space with an arrival plaza, an approximately 3,475 square foot covered plaza, and demonstration gardens. The central driveway will be widened and improved to provide a bus pickup/drop off area and 15 new parking spaces.

Holtville, Unincorporated

Imperial

Unincorporated

California Air Resources Board (ARB), California Department of Education, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Inland Deserts Region 6 (CDFW), California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), California Department of Transportation, District 11 (DOT), California Department of Water Resources (DWR), California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (OES), California Highway Patrol (CHP), California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), California Natural Resources Agency, California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Colorado River Basin Region 7 (RWQCB), Department of General Services (DGS), Office of Historic Preservation, State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Rights

Educational (6,975 SF Engagement center; 3 Jobs)

UC Design Approval

Aesthetics, Agriculture and Forestry Resources, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Cumulative Effects, Drainage/Absorption, Economics/Jobs, Energy, Flood Plain/Flooding, Geology/Soils, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Growth Inducement, Hazards & Hazardous Materials, Hydrology/Water Quality, Land Use/Planning, Mandatory Findings of Significance, Mineral Resources, Noise, Population/Housing, Public Services, Recreation, Schools/Universities, Septic System, Sewer Capacity, Solid Waste, Transportation, Tribal Cultural Resources, Utilities/Service Systems, Vegetation, Wetland/Riparian, Wildfire