-Editorial
The Calexico City Council on April 16 unanimously approved a resolution to vacate a portion of Heffernan Avenue and authorize its sale to the United States General Services Administration (GSA). The property will be used for the construction of a temporary pedestrian processing facility as part of the ongoing Calexico West Land Port of Entry Expansion and Reconfiguration Project.
The approved action allows the City Manager to execute a Purchase and Sale Agreement and Quitclaim Deed for an 11,400-square-foot segment of Heffernan Avenue. The street portion, formerly used as a bus stop and no longer part of the city’s circulation plan, lies adjacent to the historic 1933 Customs Building and has not supported vehicular traffic since 1974.
The temporary pedestrian facility will help maintain border operations while the existing pedestrian processing building is demolished and replaced. The new permanent building—set to begin construction in mid-2025—will expand U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) capacity with 12 inspection booths, doubling the current number.
The temporary facility will include six inspection booths and will shift pedestrian crossings slightly eastward, away from the active construction zone. Once the new facility is operational, the temporary structure will be removed and the area improved with landscaping, lighting, and public space amenities, including a potential art installation.
The GSA initially sought a temporary easement but opted to purchase the property outright due to liability concerns. The city will be reimbursed for related costs, including re-striping bus and taxi zones on First Street. Future improvements to the area will support its transformation into a pedestrian plaza, aligning with the city’s long-term vision for downtown.
Environmental reviews for the federal project were completed under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), with no significant impacts identified. The city’s land sale is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
There are no direct fiscal impacts to the City of Calexico as the GSA will cover all legal and administrative costs, acquiring the property at nominal value. The project is expected to reduce pedestrian wait times at the border and benefit the local economy by encouraging cross-border visits to downtown Calexico.
