The process is rolling out for the Anderson Lake County Park
visitor’s center. Open bidding went public April 7 by the Santa
Clara County Parks and Recreation Department and construction is
anticipated to begin this summer.
Morgan Hill – The process is rolling out for the Anderson Lake County Park visitor’s center. Open bidding went public April 7 by the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department and construction is anticipated to begin this summer.
The $2 to $3 million project will knock down the existing ranger’s station and restrooms on Malaguerra Avenue en route to Anderson Dam and replace it with about 5,900-square-feet visitor’s center, conference room, indoor and outdoor classrooms; a workshop and storage building of 2,400-square-feet, and public restrooms. Fifty-two parking spaces will also be added.
The project will not affect the general fund of the county, which is facing an end of the year deficit of up to $60 million. Rather, it is funded by the Parks Capital Improvement Program and Parks Charter Fund that is paid for by a small percentage of county resident’s property taxes.
The new facilities will be located generally in the same area, in-between Malaguerra Avenue and Eagle View Drive. The property is owned by the city of Morgan Hill and all required permits have been obtained from the city, PG&E and the county building and fire marshal.
The buildings were also LEED certified last week, according to county official John Gibbs, keeping within the county’s effort to promote energy efficiency. LEED stands for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is a certification give by the U.S. Green Building Council upon meeting criteria for stewardship and efficiency.
The visitor’s center and supporting facilities were identified in the Coyote Creek Parkway County Park Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan and Master Plan, approved by the board of supervisors in March 2007.
