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-Editorial
The Calexico City Council has approved a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Grant of Temporary Exclusive Easement with the United States General Services Administration (GSA) for the construction of a temporary pedestrian processing facility. This initiative is a key component of the final phase of the Calexico West Land Port of Entry Expansion and Reconfiguration Project.
Managed by the GSA, the project aims to enhance pedestrian processing capacity at the border. The construction of a new 31,000-square-foot pedestrian processing building is slated to begin in mid-2025. The modernized facility will feature an expanded processing hall with 12 inspection booths, replacing the current structure, which operates with only six booths.
To ensure uninterrupted pedestrian processing during construction, the GSA has proposed a temporary processing facility. This structure, containing six inspection booths, will be situated east of the existing pedestrian crossing. Pedestrians will be rerouted through the Heffernan Avenue bus stop area for processing before exiting on the north side of the temporary building. Southbound travelers returning to Mexico will follow a designated walking path along the border wall.
Since the temporary facility will be located within the City’s right-of-way on Heffernan Avenue, the GSA is seeking a Grant of Temporary Exclusive Easement from the City of Calexico. City staff have been actively negotiating the terms of the agreement to safeguard the City’s interests.
The proposed easement outlines the designated area’s use for constructing the temporary pedestrian processing facility, along with space allocated for equipment storage, utility connections, and fencing.
The easement is set to remain in effect until May 31, 2029. Additionally, the agreement mandates the maintenance and repair of infrastructure within the easement area, including ADA-compliant paths of travel and utility connections. Following the project’s completion, the Heffernan Bus Shelter must be restored, including sidewalks, lighting, and street furniture.
The agreement also includes provisions for liability insurance, improvement bonds, and reimbursement for City costs associated with restriping bus and taxi areas along 1st Street. The City will be compensated for revenue losses incurred due to the temporary one-week closure of 1st Street between Heffernan Avenue and Rockwood Avenue. By approving the agreement, the City Council is facilitating the project’s advancement in alignment with the GSA’s construction schedule. Ultimately, the upgraded pedestrian facility is expected to enhance border-crossing efficiency and boost economic activity in Calexico’s downtown area.
The project has undergone an environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). A Final Environmental Impact Statement was completed in 2011, followed by a subsequent Environmental Assessment in 2022, which determined that the project would have no significant environmental impact. The City’s decision to grant the easement is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Financially, the agreement imposes no direct costs on the City of Calexico. The GSA will fully reimburse expenses related to liability coverage, completion bonds, revenue loss, and restriping work before the agreement is finalized.
The approval of this easement represents a crucial step toward the completion of the Calexico West Land Port of Entry Expansion, ensuring a more efficient and streamlined border-crossing experience while minimizing disruptions to pedestrian traffic during construction.
