The federal government has approved allocating between $9
million and $13 million for a new Pinnacles National Monument
visitor center on the park’s west side. Park officials have been
considering a permanent visitor center on the west side
– near the Soledad entrance off of Highway 146 – for about two
decades, said Carl Brenner, chief of interpretation and
education.
The federal government has approved allocating between $9 million and $13 million for a new Pinnacles National Monument visitor center on the park’s west side.
Park officials first heard word of the approval earlier this month. Supervisor Reb Monaco, whose district includes part of Pinnacles, announced the allocation at today’s San Benito County Board of Supervisors’ meeting. Pinnacles is set to receive the federal stimulus funds, but the precise amount will depend on bids from contractors.
Park officials have been considering a permanent visitor center on the west side – near the Soledad entrance off of Highway 146 – for about two decades, said Carl Brenner, chief of interpretation and education. It had been held up due to policy and budget issues, but has been deemed necessary to accommodate residents entering from that area.
“It’s a good point because the communities around the west side of the park don’t really have a whole lot to greet them,” Brenner said.
On that western side, near the Chaparral Ranger Station, the park has maintained mobile homes, a tent cabin and what Brenner described as a “contact station,” as opposed to a full-blown visitor center. Park officials have been trying for years to move those facilities out of a flood plane there near the ranger station.
The new visitor center is expected to be around 3,000 square feet while located on the right side of the road after residents enter the park along a long, grassy area. The facility on the park’s east side in San Benito County is around 600 square feet.
Brenner stressed how the west-side space, though, would not just include a traditional visitor center, but also exhibits, a multi-purpose area, office space and restrooms.
Park officials have sent out what’s called a request for qualifications. Prospective contractors are asked to submit a proposal showing their qualifications with a Feb. 23 deadline, while the number of applicants from there will be narrowed to four who are asked to submit bid documents, Brenner said. Businesses can find an application at www.fbo.gov.
Brenner also noted how the request for bids will encourage environmentally-friendly building and energy practices and how Pinnacles is encouraging contractors to be creative in their proposed use of green technology.
Park officials expect to award a contract in late May. Construction then would start in June, with an expectation to last 18 months.
“I’m excited we’re moving forward with this,” Brenner said. “It’s definitely something we’ve been working on for many, many years.”
Said Monaco, the District 4 supervisor: “It is a major development over there. There haven’t been good facilities over there for a long, long time.”
This story will appear in the Pinnacle on Friday.
