To: Board of Supervisors
From: Warren Lai, Public Works Director/Chief Engineer
Report Title: Advertisement for Demolition of Old Juvenile Hall project at 202 Glacier Drive, Martinez
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE the design and bid documents, including the plans and specifications, for the Demolition of Old Juvenile Hall project located at 202 Glacier Drive, Martinez.
AUTHORIZE the Public Works Director, or designee, to solicit bids to be received on or about December 3, 2025, and issue bid addenda, as needed, for clarification of bid documents, provided the changes do not significantly increase the construction cost estimate.
DIRECT the Clerk of the Board to publish, at least 14 days before the bid opening date, the Notice to Contractors in accordance with the Public Contract Code Section 22037, inviting bids for this project.
DIRECT the Public Works Director, or designee, to send notices by email, fax, and by US Mail to the construction trade journals specified in the Public Contract Code Section 22036 at least 15 days before the bid opening.
RECONFIRM the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Article 18, Section 15269(c) and Article 19, 15330 (a) and (b) of the CEQA Guidelines.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Estimated Construction cost: $7,449,195. $2,937,964 (40%) will be funded through the Juvenile Facilities Improvement Construction funds, $2,711,231 (36%) will be funded through Probation Department’s General Fund, and $1,800,00 (24%) will be funded through the sale of the Orin Allen Youth Rehabilitation Facility at 4491 Bixler Road, Byron, CA.
BACKGROUND:
On November 28, 2023, the Board directed Public Works to take actions necessary to initiate and complete demolition of Old Juvenile Hall. At the same time, the Board determined that the project is exempt from CEQA. Public Works has obtained and submitted plans for permit approval and has obtained permit approval.
Over the past several decades, the landscape of juvenile justice has evolved significantly. With advances in behavioral science, trauma-informed care, and rehabilitative programming, it has become increasingly clear that facilities housing justice-involved youth must reflect modern best practices-both in design and function. However, many current juvenile hall facilities remain outdated, undersized, and ill-equipped to support the comprehensive needs of today’s youth and the staff tasked with their care. Old Juvenile Hall is an approximately 54,694 square-foot, two-story building constructed in 1950 and expanded in 1975. The adjacent Juvenile Hall, built in 2000, renders the older building obsolete and unneeded.
Hazardous materials including asbestos, lead, and mold have been identified in the Old Juvenile Hall building. Contra Costa Risk Management has restricted access to the building because it contains hazardous building materials. The building has become a health and safety hazard.
The Demolition of Old Juvenile Hall will commence with the removal and disposal of all hazardous materials in the building prior to demolition. The scope of work includes the complete demolition and removal of the building and its underground utilities. Temporary and permanent security fencing and enclosures will be installed, and the graded site will be backfilled, hydroseeded and have a new irrigation system installed. A new emergency generator will be installed.
Demolition is expected to take approximately one year to complete.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Without Board of Supervisors’ approval, the Old Juvenile Hall facility will remain an ongoing hazard, risk and attractive nuisance. Additionally, the facility's presence will prevent potential redevelopment of the area for better use.