New Visitor Center

Future site of the Visitor Center at Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park

Colonel Allensworth SHP's New Visitor Center

California State Parks is pleased to announce that a new Visitor Center is being planned for Colonel Allensworth SHP.   The new facility will provide for better programming and educational opportunities that will enhance and further the understanding and celebration of this historic site. For the duration of the project, this webpage will serve as a source for project information and development, so check back from time to time for updates.  Additionally we encourage you to sign up for the project mailing list by clicking the green box below, so we can include you on any informational correspondence that we may send out.

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Visitor Center Project Overview

This project will build a new visitor center and associated outdoor amenities. The approved project scope provides for the following project elements that will be further developed through the Preliminary Plan design process:

INTERIOR PROGRAM ELEMENTS

Proposed Acquisition Boundary 1973
  • Public Contact and Reception Area
  • Interpretive Exhibit Area
  • Multi-purpose Room/Theater
  • Staff Offices & Operational Support Spaces
  • Restrooms
  • Storage

EXTERIOR PROGRAM ELEMENTS

  • Parking: Automobiles & Buses
  • Outdoor Gathering & Events Area
  • Stage/Presentation Area
  • Picnic Tables & Benches
  • Exterior Interpretive Elements
  • Improved Vendor Area
  • Paths & Landscaping
  • Shade Creating Elements

SUPPORT ELEMENTS

  • Required Utility Upgrades

Project Funding and General Schedule

This project is a Major Capital Outlay project and is funded by the Department of Finance. The Capital Outlay process is a multi-year process and can vary in length from 3-5 years. Major Capital Outlay projects typically have three phases with specific milestone deliverables for each phase. The anticipated project phase schedule and deliverables are:

PRELIMINARY PLANS: Funded July 2020

  • Project Design
  • Development of plans and specifications to approximately 50%
  • Completion of CEQA
  • Department of Finance Approval to proceed to Working Drawings

WORKING DRAWINGS: Funding upon approval of Preliminary Plans

  • Completion of plans and specifications to 100% bid ready
  • ADA and State Fire Marshal Review and Approval
  • Required permits completed and issued
  • Department of Finance Approval to Proceed to Bid.

CONSTRUCTION: Funding upon approval to Proceed to Bid

  • Bidding
  • Award and Contracting
  • Construction
  • Project closeout

Design Process and Stakeholder Engagement

State Parks and the design team recognize the importance of this project to the Friends of Allensworth, the community, and people of California, and is currently developing an engagement strategy that will ensure people are informed and able to participate and contribute to the design process. There will also be opportunities for stakeholder review and comment at key milestones in the design process.