Local governments collaborate to build new public animal shelter in San Luis Obispo
SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY, Calif. -- Local governments come together to help build a new public animal shelter located off Highway 1 on Tuesday.
The County Board of Supervisors took steps to move the project forward and also adopted a resolution to authorize the project's financing.
San Luis Obispo County's new regional public animal services facility project is moving forward at an estimated cost of about $20 million.
San Luis Obispo County joined forces with the cities of Atascadero, Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Morro Bay, Paso Robles, Pismo Beach and San Luis Obispo to authorize and fund this project.
This new facility will replace an outdated 43-year-old public animal shelter.
The plan also includes approving budget changes to an agreeement with all seven cities and awarding the construction contract to F&H Construction out of Lodi, California.
The state requires the county and local cities to provide public animal services, but the current facility is deteriorating beyond repair and conflicts with humane standards of animal sheltering.
The new facility will have the following below:
- Incorporate design features to create a more sustainable, long-lasting facility.
- Provide an inviting facility for people looking to adopt pets.
- Allow for the humane care of sheltered animals into the future.
- Support the community's already strong animal services volunteer program and more.
A 2017 study led by North County cities concluded that this new regional shared facility is the most cost viable option.
The original cost estimate of the project was about $14.5 million, but the latest estimate after completing negotiations with F&H construction is around $20 million.
The increase can be attributed to inflation, increased costs of construction materials, a nationwide building boom and more stringent labor laws in California.
With the shared costs at about $19 million with the County taking on the first $1 million, it will help ease the financial burden to partner cities.
For more on this project click here.
