San Mateo County has received a $7.2 million state grant that will help the San Mateo County Events Center serve as an evacuation center and safe zone during earthquakes, fires, floods and other disasters, to address emergencies and boost resilience.
This was reported Thursday by state and local officials during a press conference at the Events Center, home of the San Mateo County Fair, private shows and conferences and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, drive-through testing and clinics of vaccines.
According to officials, the grant from the California Department of Food and Agriculture will improve the center's capacity to house up to 600 people when needed.
Additionally, Samaritan House, a San Mateo-based nonprofit, is scheduled to receive a portion of the grant to improve kitchen and pantry service, pending approval by its board of directors.
?The Event Center and Samaritan House have proven to be invaluable partners time and time again during the times of crisis we have faced, as well as in non-emergency times. “This grant, along with matching funds allocated by the Board of Supervisors, allows us to be even more resilient in keeping our community protected,” said County Executive Mike Callagy.
The state subsidy, part of the 89 million dollars that the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) awarded across the state to build resiliency at the state fairgrounds, especially in response to climate change, will be matched by $4 million from San Mateo County and $1 million from the San Mateo County Events Center.
The grants are intended to improve existing community facilities and programs, particularly for economically vulnerable and food insecure residents.
The San Mateo County Events Center is a 48-acre event facility in the City of San Mateo with more than 200,000 square feet of exhibit space located in seven buildings.
The space is a designated Emergency Operations Center, which was invaluable during the COVID-19 pandemic, the CZU flash fires and other large-scale events, and these state funds will increase its ability to respond to future disasters.
Specifically, the collective funds will be used at the Events Center to build 20 new bathrooms and nine showers; upgrade broadband and internet support; upgrade Fiesta Hall, the main shelter for up to 600 people; and relocate and upgrade RV sites with solar canopies.
Additionally, it will potentially expand Samaritan House's year-round food services by adding a 6,700-square-foot commercial kitchen and renovating the 14,000-square-foot Redwood Hall into a dining space that can serve up to 2,000 meals. daily; in addition to updating to current seismic standards.
Construction is expected to begin in June 2024.
County officials said the grant clearly aligns with the state's goal of preparing for climate change-related disasters.
It should be noted that, over the past three years, the county has experienced wildfires, pandemics, floods and adverse weather conditions, in addition to being at risk of earthquakes, landslides and dam failures, according to the Multijurisdictional Local Risk Mitigation Plan of San Mateo County.
?As it becomes increasingly clear that the impacts of climate change are more frequent and severe, this resilience grant is a timely investment in infrastructure, both in times of crisis and to sustain our most vulnerable families right now,? said Supervisor Noelia Corzo, whose District Two includes the Events Center.
The executive director of the Event Center, Dana Stoehr, said that the grant is an example of the long association between the three co-applicant entities.
?The Resiliency Grant recognizes the outstanding work of San Mateo County, the San Mateo County Fairgrounds and Events Center, and Samaritan House. “It is also a testament to the collaboration and dedication that comes with the unwavering commitment to making San Mateo County inclusive and safe for all residents,” Stoehr said.
In addition to serving clients sheltering in place at the Events Center during a disaster, Samaritan House will also serve meals year-round.
One year after the project's completion, the nonprofit says it will potentially be able to nearly double its capacity to feed families and distribute food.
The project will connect to a parking lot, adding the ability to allow drive-thru food distribution.
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