San Diego County Las Colinas Women’s Detention Facility
The San Diego County Las Colinas Women's Detention Facility is the primary booking and holding facility for women arrested in the county. It replaced the previous facility located in Santee. The new facility was a Design/Build project consisting of approximately 478,000 SF facility allowing for 1,216 beds. This $270 million project was designed in two phases.
UES served as the Geotechnical Engineer of Record for the project and provided construction control services including grading control, utilities, pad certification, foundation inspection and certification, and soil and asphalt compaction testing and inspection. We also provided air monitoring during rough grading in accordance with the County Department of Environmental Health approved work plan and performed special inspection and engineering support services, including re-enforced concrete and masonry, field and shop welding inspection, Non-destructive Examination of Welds (NOE), fireproofing inspection, and all soils and materials testing services required for the project. The total contract value for was $398k.
Plans to develop a new detention facility on historically agricultural land required a team approach. The new facility included Levels I-VI housing units, protective custody, an intake facility/transfer/release facility, maintenance and energy facility, food service building, Facility Administration, Security Administration, Laundry, Medical Services, parking for staff and visitors, and security perimeter structures. The project commenced with UES’ Environmental Evaluation; the work included close interface with the County of San Diego Department of Environmental Health's Voluntary Assistance Program. Based upon results of testing for organochlorine pesticides (OCP), a Soil Management Plan and a Community Health and Safety Plan were created to include soil and air monitoring during mass grading of the site. Upon completion of grading and continuous air monitoring a site closure letter was obtained, which documented completion of project environmental goals. Geotechnical engineering and testing/inspection services followed.
