Newman secures $150,000 grant for Nature Park learning center and closes on Foster Farms site with cleanup funding sought

The Newman City Council heard updates Tuesday that the city received a $150,000 grant to help fund a planned learning center at the Nature Park and that the city has closed on the former Foster Farms facility as part of a downtown redevelopment plan.

City staff said the $150,000 grant will help cover match funds for construction of the Nature Park learning center, with design work currently at 60 percent and a target to put the project out to bid in spring next year; staff estimated roughly a 12‑month construction period with the facility opening in 2026.

Staff also reported the city completed purchase of the Foster Farms facility for $1. The manager said Congressman Duarte has recommended approximately $750,000 in brownfield cleanup funds to remove asbestos‑laden structures so the parcel can be remediated, extended with Main Street and marketed to private developers. City staff described a redevelopment vision that could include ground-floor commercial uses with upper-story residential.

Council members and staff framed the acquisition as a catalytic downtown project but noted further budgeting steps and cleanup work are required before private investment can proceed. The manager said brownfield and other grant funding would be pursued as the city finalizes a budget request that includes cleanup and site‑preparation activities.

Next steps include bidding design documents for the Nature Park learning center and pursuing brownfield cleanup funding and any necessary budget approvals to begin demolition and remediation work on the Foster Farms parcel.