San Mateo County Event Center to be site of new shelter-ready facilities

The state grant, part of $89 million the CDFA awarded statewide to build resiliency at California fairgrounds, especially in response to climate change, will be matched by $4 million from San Mateo County and $1 million from the Event Center.

Samaritan House, a San Mateo-based nonprofit, is slated to receive a share of the grant to upgrade kitchen and pantry service, pending approval by its board of directors.

The collective funds will be used to build 20 new restroom stalls and nine showers; update broadband and back-up internet; update Fiesta Hall, the primary shelter site for up to 600 people; relocate and update RV sites with solar canopies; potentially expand Samaritan House’s year-round food services by adding a 6,700-square-foot commercial kitchen and renovating the 14,000 square foot Redwood Hall into dining space that can serve up to 2,000 meals daily; and upgrade to current seismic standards.

The 48-acre Event Center has more than 200,000 square feet of exhibit space located in seven buildings. The facility is a designated Emergency Operations Center — proving itself invaluable as such during the COVID-19 pandemic, CZU Lightning Fires and other large-scale events — and these state funds will increase its ability to respond to future disasters.

Event Center CEO Dana Stoehr said the grant illustrates the long-standing partnership between the three co-applicant entities.

“The resiliency grant acknowledges the outstanding work of San Mateo County, the San Mateo County Event Center and Fairgrounds, and Samaritan House. It is also a testament to the collaboration and dedication that signifies the unwavering commitment to making San Mateo County inclusive and safe for all residents,” Stoehr said.

Construction is projected to begin in June 2024.