-Editorial
The Calexico City Council approved a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Grant of Temporary Exclusive Easement with the United States General Services Administration (GSA) for the construction of a temporary pedestrian processing facility as part of the final phase of the Calexico West Land Port of Entry Expansion and Reconfiguration Project.
The project, managed by the GSA, aims to enhance pedestrian processing capacity at the border crossing. Construction of a new 31,000-square-foot pedestrian processing building is scheduled to begin in mid-2025. The new facility will feature an expanded processing hall with 12 inspection booths, replacing the existing facility, which currently operates with six booths.
To ensure continuous pedestrian processing during construction, the GSA proposes the establishment of a temporary processing facility. The temporary structure will also contain six inspection booths and will be located east of the current pedestrian crossing. Pedestrians will be rerouted to the Heffernan Avenue bus stop area for processing before exiting on the north side of the temporary building. Southbound travelers returning to Mexico will follow a designated walking path along the border wall.
Because the temporary facility will be located within the City’s right-of-way on Heffernan Avenue, the GSA is seeking a Grant of Temporary Exclusive Easement from the City. City staff have been working with the GSA to negotiate the terms of the agreement, ensuring that the City’s interests are protected.
Key provisions of the proposed easement include the use of the designated area for constructing the temporary pedestrian processing facility, along with space for equipment storage, utility connections, and fencing. The easement would remain in effect until May 31, 2029. Additionally, the agreement requires maintenance and repair of infrastructure within the easement area, including ADA-compliant paths of travel and utility connections. After the project is completed, the Heffernan Bus Shelter must be restored, including sidewalks, lighting, and street furniture.
The agreement also stipulates provisions for liability insurance and improvement bonds, as well as reimbursement for City costs related to restriping bus and taxi areas along 1st Street. The City would also be compensated for revenue losses due to the temporary one-week closure of 1st Street between Heffernan Avenue and Rockwood Avenue. By authorizing the agreement, the City Council would enable the project to move forward in alignment with the GSA’s construction timeline. Ultimately, the new pedestrian facility is expected to improve border-crossing efficiency and support economic activity in Calexico’s downtown area.
The project has undergone environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), with a Final Environmental Impact Statement completed in 2011 and a subsequent Environmental Assessment in 2022, which found no significant environmental impact. The City’s action to grant the easement is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
There are no direct costs to the City associated with the agreement, as the GSA will fully reimburse expenses related to liability coverage, completion bonds, revenue loss, and restriping work before the agreement is executed.
