San Ysidro Land Port of Entry Phase 2

The $156 million, Design-Build, San Ysidro Land Port of Entry Phase-2 project was designed and constructed to be the first government-owned 24-hour/365-day facility to achieve LEED Platinum, NetZero Energy, and NetZero Water Certifications. The overhauled 39-acre Port of entry features heightened standards in efficiency, security, aesthetics, and sustainability. The project included the preservation of the original 24,000 square-feet Historic Customs House built in 1932 and a complete reconstruction of the Port’s 102,000 square-feet Northbound Pedestrian Processing Building, the pedestrian and bus-inspection facilities, which included inspection booths for 18 northbound pedestrian processing lanes, and four northbound bus-processing lanes. Due to the importance of this facility, both national security and cross-border regional economies, it was mandatory to ensure the Port remained active at all times during construction.

Delivering Modern Functionality in an Historic Project

While designing the Port of the future, the team had to address the site’s past simultaneously. The San Ysidro Land Port of Entry – Phase 2 project included the Historic Custom House, which was the original Port built-in 1933. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, meaning it could not be replaced with a more current or better suited building, and any modernization needed to be handled with incredible care. The challenge for the team was to not merely refurbish the historic building but create a space that could complement and enhance the needs of the overall project. The value added was preserved historical architecture that was meaningful to the local community with upgrades that transformed the building into a code compliant and environmentally friendly structure.

In addition to delivering modern innovation while respecting the past, the project team also donated all remaining supplies, tables, and chairs to various non-profits and schools in the San Ysidro Chamber of Commerce. According to the team, “it was the least we could do to thank the community the project team called home for many years working on the San Ysidro Land Port of Entry.”

Design-Build Team

Photos