Report Prepared by: Christopher Jensen, Director, Parks and Recreation
Title
SUBJECT: High Speed Rail Updates
REPORT IN BRIEF
Parks & Community Services Director Christopher Jensen will provide ongoing updates as available on High Speed Rail as it relates to the acquisition of the Merced Senior Community Center and the McCombs Youth Center.
RECOMMENDATION
Information only-no action required
Body
DISCUSSION
The High Speed Rail Authority has provided the City of Merced with an appraised value of the two properties, the McCombs Youth Center and the Merced Senior Community Center. The amount is insufficient to replace either facility. These facilities offer services to some of our most vulnerable populations; youth and seniors, in addition to the general public, through a variety of providers including the City of Merced and contracted services providers such as the Boys and Girls Club of Merced County and Merced Seniors Inc
The High Speed Rail Authority has communicated as recent as January 2025 that the tentative construction start time is still two years away. The City has communicated to the High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) and our service providers the desire to ensure services are provided at both facilities as long as physically possible. The City has encouraged the HSRA to provide every resource available to assist in any relocation necessary for all parties affected by the potential loss of existing property. The City has inventoried is own facilities and does not have anything close to likewise spaces available. The tentative plan for City services is to release a Request For Interest in hosting city services that are currently offered through both facilities if necessary.
The City Parks & Community Services Department was awarded a grant for updating the Park, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan (PROS). A priority of this planning process will include the assessment of opportunities to establish and build future recreation facilities. However, the probable cost estimates do not make future facilities a present reality with available resources. Future facilities that hope to replace the existing value offered to the community through both the McCombs Youth Center and the Merced Senior Community Center will require substantial external resources above and beyond what may be offered through any appraised value of the properties themselves.
Documentation within the 2012 High Speed Rail Merced to Fresno: Section Project Environmental Impact Report (EIR) references several mitigation measures that HSRA was expected to commit to prior to relocation being necessary, namely the development of a relocation mitigation plan, replacement of existing community facilities, and outreach to disproportionately and negatively affected environmental justice communities of concern.
Of specific interest is the commitment by HSRA made in the EIR to reconfigure or relocate facilities as necessary to minimize disruption prior to relocation being necessary. Although HSRA has discussed with individual parties the typical relocation resources offered to mitigate for pending displacement, they have not communicated any initiatives related to mitigation measures related to replacing existing City property as mentioned in the EIR.
Staff attended a meeting arranged through Senator Caballero’s Office to discuss High Speed Rail progress and efforts. City staff shared details of the mitigations called for in the 2012 HSR Fresno to Merced EIR. The Senator supported the City’s ongoing efforts to maintain service delivery and requested routine updates from the HSRA on progress of the project and mitigation measures being taken. The City is continuing its review the 2012 EIR and similar efforts made by HSRA as they relate to potential relocation and replacement facilities.