Construction of the new $184 million San Mateo County Civic Center is well underway in downtown Redwood City.
Crews began construction at the site of the old San Mateo County Traffic Court and the historic Lathrop House in 2021.
The building is expected to be completed in late 2023, at which time it will become the new seat of the county government.
The five-story, 208,000-square-foot building is expected to house approximately 600 government employees from the following departments:
- Board of Supervisors
- County Executive Office
- Budget and Performance
- Human Resources
- County Attorney
- District Attorney
- Human Services Agency
The new center will also serve as the Peninsula town square and is expected to be an inviting gathering place that embodies transparency and public access to government, according to a county news release.
The building will be constructed in an ‘H’ design with north and south-facing plazas that will tie in downtown from Marshall Street and County Center.
The numerous plazas and courtyards are expected to include landscaping and public art.
The County reports that the center will be built with a Mass Timber design featuring all wood columns, beams, walls and ceilings.
This design tactic was selected for structural and environmental reasons as wood dramatically lowers the building's carbon footprint by reducing the reliance on structural steel and concrete.
To create thick beams, numerous boards are glued together to make cross-laminated timber. The wood comes from second- and third-growth forests and is a renewable resource.
As a further reflection of the County’s commitment to sustainability, the building will also be designed to be "Net Zero" energy. Through the use of roof-top solar panels, the center will create as much energy as it consumes. The County will also be seeking LEED Platinum Certification.
For additional information:
- Presentation PowerPoint / Overview from the County of San Mateo Project Development Unit: Jan. 25, 2022.
- Board Report / Update on Project Budget: Jan. 25, 2022.
- County of San Mateo Project Development Unit Website: Bid Documents, Scoping Study, Updates.
