The Southeastern Live Well Center Project

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

Construction of government buildings are opportunities to invest in the local community and its residents. Using an innovative and inclusive procurement strategy, the Department of Purchasing and Contracting (DPC) and Department of General Services (DGS) ensured that the County of San Diego’s new Southeastern Live Well Center (SELWC) would be built with both input from the community and construction participation by local businesses and workers. These efforts resulted in a contract commitment requiring $6 million community investment through local subcontracting and workforce opportunities and a 5% local workforce participation goal. The SELWC is a 65,000 square foot administrative building that will serve as a hub for health and social services in Southeastern San Diego. Southeastern San Diego is widely viewed as one of the most diverse areas in the city and roughly represents four zip codes: 92102, 92113, 92114 and 92139. The residents and businesses located in these communities have been historically underrepresented and underutilized in government contracting and workforce opportunities. DPC and DGS utilized this innovative and inclusive procurement strategy to ensure that the construction of the new SELWC would reverse this trend and provide employment and construction opportunities for participation within these zip codes and the region.