[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6502362,"mediaKeyId","5466162-d84182e052a4144247d874126d64733b","parentId",5466162,"title","Escondido approves lease, $500,000 startup funding for AgTech innovation hub at 455 N. Quint St.","audioSeconds",1975,"startMs",2321000,"endMs",4296000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5466162-d84182e052a4144247d874126d64733b&start=2321&end=4296","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5466162-d84182e052a4144247d874126d64733b/thumbnail_2321000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6502362/Escondido/San-Diego-County/California/Escondido-approves-lease-500000-startup-funding-for-AgTech-innovation-hub-at-455-N-Quint-St","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502362-3943fbb88eec235a5952136e8539f027/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151771&Signature=iNbrg0mg2Pb2OJsf0XV9l-N0WH48lXZnh95fTy~hC~CDpMTb5~yUv3YzjbniC38du8TSJnFILb7w4-85UGUaSyahgtbirqTo6uKhmV18IO~Bi9~S~iBd3loTJRn8OkrFn47Zkgoc-vfykKjgR9hThUjRsWJz~QUY1qkCaUrX7cm6lwnQPyisRpZfZQo6iMf5QdLNb8BePy8TRUURqK--b3m3~p7~V~HGdIzFEHYJv-d2ufLL2duf1HsoCEGBJz7PC9XZAkGaZQdVGgsOuxBR8UZJwT0PWNrKI-a6VjKX0eYY-1nB9sYiD3CxD1TeU~8Vx7-Bz0Y0dFnkDc56qocoIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-24T20:25:52.02Z","article","The Escondido City Council voted 4-0 July 23 to approve a lease agreement with the Vine Institute and a $500,000 public service agreement to establish the Escondido AgX Innovation Hub at 455 N. Quint Street.

Jennifer Schenick, the city’s director of economic development, said the lease term is three years with three extension options, giving a potential total term of 15 years, and that the city will charge $10 per year in rent as part of the economic development arrangement. Staff said the low rent reflects the Vine Institute’s planned investment of about $1,300,000 to renovate the currently vacant building.

The council also approved a $500,000 public service agreement to provide startup funding for the hub: $250,000 to be disbursed on execution of the lease and $250,000 to be released after the Vine Institute presents its first annual report and demonstrates progress toward full operation. Schenick told the council the first portion was included in the FY2026 operating budget.

Why it matters: City staff and project supporters said the hub will provide physical space, a consumer-packaged-goods test kitchen, an incubator for ag and food businesses, workforce and training opportunities for beginning farmers and a regional food hub to aggregate local produce. The city framed the initiative as an economic-development strategy to retain ag and ag‑tech companies and create higher-wage jobs in Escondido.

Partners and public comment
Speakers at the meeting included Vine Institute leadership and prospective anchor tenants and partners. Lon Hatamia, president of the Vine Institute, said the group will pursue grant funding and hire a general manager during the first 12 months. “We will hire in the first 12 months appropriate Vine Institute staff, which could include a general manager/executive director to manage day-to-day operations,” Hatamia said.

Gabe Yazzi, chief innovation officer at University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources and a Vine Institute board member, described a three-year phased plan to design facilities, begin operations and reach financial sustainability by year three through diversified funding from state, federal and private sources and an advisory council for governance and oversight.

Food Shed Cooperative confirmed it will serve as an anchor tenant and said it plans to invest more than $500,000 in site development and has a $1.5 million pending grant from the California Department of Food and Agriculture to support build-out. Ellie Igoe, director of Food Shed Cooperative, said the organization will operate the San Diego Food Hub and act as an anchor tenant for the innovation center.

Key terms and commitments
- Property: 455 North Quint Street (city-owned, long vacant).
- Lease: three-year term with three extension options (potential 15 years); rent $10 per year.
- Renovation investment: Vine Institute estimated at approximately $1,300,000.
- City funding: $500,000 public service agreement; $250,000 disbursed at lease execution, $250,000 after first annual report demonstrating progress.
- Operator responsibilities: Vine Institute will manage subleases, utilities, permits and site improvements and serve as lead operator for the Escondido AgX hub.
- Resolutions: Staff recommended adoption of Resolution No. 2025-43 (lease) and Resolution No. 2025-47 (public service agreement).

Council action and rationale
After public testimony from local farmers, Food Shed Cooperative representatives and project supporters who described potential job creation, local farm support and training opportunities, councilmembers praised the partnerships and the project’s potential to preserve and grow local agricultural activity. Deputy Mayor Gonzalo Martinez moved the measure; Councilmember Fitzgerald seconded. The motion carried 4-0 (Councilmember Fitzgerald — present/yes, Councilmember Christian Garcia — yes, Councilmember Joe Garcia — yes, Deputy Mayor Gonzalo Martinez — yes).

Implementation and oversight
Vine Institute leaders told the council they will form an advisory council of local and statewide experts and provide quarterly reporting to city economic development staff and an annual presentation to the city council. Staff said the initial city funding will be used to complete engineering and architectural designs for interior improvements, purchase equipment for the CPG test kitchen and hire initial staff.

Support letters and regional involvement
Staff noted letters of support from California State University San Marcos and the San Diego Farm Bureau. Schenick said the project aligns with the city's 2023 comprehensive economic development strategy to attract and retain ag and ag‑tech businesses.

Next steps
Staff will finalize lease documents and the public service agreement and proceed with the scheduled disbursement of the first $250,000 upon execution of the lease. Vine Institute leaders and anchor partners plan to pursue additional grants and private investments to fund build-out and operations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Escondido City Council Meeting - July 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council voted 4-0 to authorize a nominal $10-per-year lease to the Vine Institute and a $500,000 public service agreement to launch the Escondido AgX Innovation Hub. The Vine Institute will renovate the long-vacant city building, operate the hub and pursue outside grants and partners.","taxTitle","Escondido, San Diego County, California","taxId",2842,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6502365,"Escondido council approves $2.36 million contract to build first city splash pad at Grove Park",1145,1189000,2334000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5466162-d84182e052a4144247d874126d64733b&start=1189&end=2334","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5466162-d84182e052a4144247d874126d64733b/thumbnail_1189000.jpg","/articles/6502365/Escondido/San-Diego-County/California/Escondido-council-approves-236-million-contract-to-build-first-city-splash-pad-at-Grove-Park","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6502365-5c7fffbb8bf26ba82cbaa730489ec5bd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771151771&Signature=cF0JJSe-WBUcBppCC8YVnSF4AtNssptbuZqYqnKyz8JCsoiktx-julQa9gi7qezLnjmM9XKFQMdxajAW1uXOGI6e6uRThmaXyJdVeR80Sbicv0FDFr0G7ZZb1CZDu1QebSRtwsB02nBH9pEyMlxJ8UtV0rgv2D8UY4VTZLt2bAKsFbhm~o6LOprQAxRIDrelKvKtDNGg0UQUUrWUoLWEA4-8~4ezv7ChSN3NnqNtAoYGrVc2ndQwQNJdWtPzXP2zLujrZ-uz4C0xhphf4NlaiTNbI8vCD7QzBDAD1RPGvUFnXuSo8h2InDxOnEEUWWg9YOhKUozTPRXU6393L6c47w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Escondido City Council voted 4-0 July 23 to award a $2,356,264 public improvement agreement to Western State Builders Inc. for the construction of the city’s first splash pad at Grove Park and authorized staff to process change orders.

City project manager Ed Vasquez told the council the Grove Park splash pad was selected because existing restrooms there provide access to sewer, water and electrical connections needed for the facility, and noted the community selected the final design through an online vote that drew 2,069 responses. “We are here tonight seeking council approval to award the construction contract,” Vasquez said during his presentation.

The splash pad design includes accessible features, a large automated “sky soaker” element and shaded picnic structures. Staff told the council the parking lot and restrooms at Grove Park will be closed for construction, which is expected to take about six months; portable restrooms will be provided. Playgrounds, walking paths and the basketball court will remain open with limited impacts to adjacent open space.

Why it matters: Grove Park sits within walking distance of several schools, and staff and councilmembers emphasized the project's neighborhood access and expected use by families. The project uses previously approved city capital funds and community input; councilmembers said it provides recreational access for residents who might not otherwise reach pools or beaches.

Key details and timeline
- Contract award: Western State Builders Inc., $2,356,264.
- Funding history cited by staff: an initial $2,500,000 budget created in January 2024 using FY2023 general fund surplus; an additional $700,000 was noted as allocated in the FY2026 capital improvement budget per the presentation.
- Bids received: seven sealed bids submitted in response to the advertised request for proposals.
- Community engagement: 2,069 online votes to select the splash pad theme; staff said the winning option is a “playful colors” theme.
- Construction window: if approved, work is expected to start in mid-September and continue through March 2026, with a planned grand opening in spring 2026.

Safety, operations and parking
Staff said splash pads are treated similarly to pools for approval purposes but do not require lifeguards because they do not pond water: “It is considered similar to a pool... but a lifeguard is not required because there is no ponding water or there is no water with any depth to it,” Vasquez said. Councilmembers and staff said the pad’s water features will be timed and push-button activated to limit misuse.

Public-works staff and the parks team said they are coordinating a parking plan with nearby schools and will encourage walking for nearby residents while the Grove Park lot is closed. Director of Public Works Joe Gilard told the council that Measure I funding will add park-ranger resources for increased patrols: “...we're gonna be adding more additional resources through, park rangers. And so we'll be doing more patrols at all of our parks, and more importantly at Grove Park.”

Communications
Assistant Director of Communications Teresa Collins said on-site signage and the project web page will be in English and Spanish and that renderings will be posted on the city website. A QR code will link to project updates.

Council discussion and vote
Councilmembers expressed support for the location's walkability and the community-driven design. Deputy Mayor Gonzalo Martinez moved the motion to approve; Councilmember Joe Garcia seconded. The vote was 4-0 in favor (Councilmember Fitzgerald — present, Councilmember Christian Garcia — yes, Councilmember Joe Garcia — yes, Deputy Mayor Gonzalo Martinez — yes). Mayor Rebecca White Ding was absent.

Implementation notes and impacts
The project will require temporary closure of the Grove Park parking lot and restroom access for staging and connections to existing sewer and storm drain lines. Staff said portable restrooms will be placed and serviced regularly during construction. The presentation listed bid alternates that are included in the construction contract; the purple-dotted shade elements shown in the presentation are included in the current contract and the same construction timeframe.

Public comment
No public comments were received on the item during the meeting.

Next steps
Staff will finalize contract documents and begin construction mobilization if permitting and contractor scheduling proceed as expected. Staff said operational hours, temperature thresholds and other operating details have not yet been defined and will be brought back to the city manager and distributed to council when set.","The Escondido City Council voted 4-0 to award a $2,356,264 public improvement contract to Western State Builders Inc. for a splash pad at Grove Park. Construction is expected to start mid-September, close the park parking lot for about six months and include bilingual communications and park-ranger patrols during operations.","actionData","errors"]

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Escondido approves lease, $500,000 startup funding for AgTech innovation hub at 455 N. Quint St.

Escondido council approves $2.36 million contract to build first city splash pad at Grove Park