The updated plan was adopted by the Board of Supervisors in April 2019 after much community outreach and input. Today, county leaders are preparing to build a new facility to house the Health and Human Services Department and a 79-unit affordable housing complex is currently under construction through a collaborative partnership between Mercy Housing and the county.
The master plan update is all about envisioning the best possible environment for government and community to coexist. The vision calls for amenities such as a community/events center and community central green; consolidation of county buildings to provide an intuitive navigational experience for visitors; a wellness-oriented work environment for employees to promote walkability; open space to help preserve the area’s natural foothill esthetic; a DeWitt heritage area to honor the campus’s rich history; and possible non-county land-use opportunities such as mixed-use residential housing, hotel and commercial retailers.
It's important to remember the master plan update is a vision and it will take private sector investment to bring the plan to fruition. The county is preparing to demolish more barrack buildings to pave the way for new construction but there are plans to preserve five of the original buildings including the campus chapel. The DeWitt History Museum is in operation today as part of the county’s long-standing commitment to preserve the history of the former DeWitt center.
The new master plan update will help create a balanced campus that positions PCGC to provide services more efficiently to the community, to provide a vital and compelling work environment, and to support the area’s economic vitality.
Under the plan, the County Executive Office and Board of Supervisors chambers, along with related offices, are envisioned to potentially move from their current location in Auburn and join other county services at the PCGC campus.