San Diego City Wire

The Ramona Community Resource Center has opened its doors, offering a centralized location for residents to access various County services such as mental health, nutrition, and healthcare. This new $15 million facility replaces an older one that had been serving the community since 1988. Situated at the intersection of 12th and Main Streets, it is adjacent to a County library branch. Plans are also underway for a 100-unit senior affordable housing complex on the property.

The center anticipates approximately 6,000 visits in the coming year, with nearly 9,000 community members currently receiving services like CalFresh and medical assistance. The building provides additional support for older adults and veterans and features a conference room available for community use.

This project began in 2017 when the County Board of Supervisors approved purchasing land from the California Department of Transportation. A design-build contract was awarded to Nielsen Construction in 2022, with Sillman Architects contributing to the design. Construction commenced in June 2023.

The single-story, 7,300-square-foot building incorporates public art and reflects local community values. It has achieved a gold standard rating in Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) from the U.S. Green Building Council and is zero net energy due to its solar panels. Additionally, it has reduced embodied carbon by 30%, contributing to lower greenhouse gas emissions.

This center is part of San Diego County's broader efforts to enhance accessibility across the region. Local businesses played significant roles in its construction through excavation work, fire protection installation, framing and door hardware supply, material provision, and artwork creation.

Since 2020, two other resource centers have been opened by the County: the North Coastal Live Well Center in November 2020 and the Southeastern Live Well Center in July 2023.