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Moreno Valley approves $4.32 million design contract to advance Public Safety Campus
Summary
The council unanimously authorized a $4,319,611 agreement with Steinberg Hart for architectural and engineering services for a proposed east‑end Public Safety Campus, while residents pressed for clarity about prior land arrangements and Measure U spending.
The Moreno Valley City Council voted unanimously June 16 to authorize a $4,319,611 contract with Steinberg Hart to provide architectural and engineering design services for a proposed Public Safety Campus intended to house combined fire and police facilities on the city’s east side. City staff said the work will allow the city to develop a site and determine construction costs after the planned property purchase moves through escrow.
Council member and staff presentations said the voter‑approved Measure U (2024) designated funds for public safety and that the city is pursuing a roughly 35‑acre purchase on the northeast corner of Redlands Boulevard and Cactus to assemble the approximately 15 acres needed for the campus. City Manager Brian Mohan told residents that escrow is open and due diligence is underway with an expected close in July for a 30‑day escrow.
Why it matters: Council members framed the campus as essential to reduce emergency response times and to provide space for planned additions to staffing funded through Measure U, including deputies, fire personnel and mobile response units. Council supporters said the campus will house joint operations, training and storage for equipment needed during wildland incidents and large‑animal evacuations.
What staff recommended: The contract award covers programming, site planning, architectural design, engineering, and consultant coordination to produce cost estimates and design documents. Director Melissa Walker noted the agreement includes contingency language tying the work to successful closing of the property escrow.
Public reaction: Dozens of public commenters urged transparency and questioned earlier land negotiations involving prior development proposals. Speakers including Roy Blackard and Christopher Baka sought documents explaining prior arrangements with developers and whether previous campus plans tied to other projects (named in public comments as Highland Fairview/Aquabella or similar). The city manager said previous covenants and arrangements dated to prior administrations and reiterated that the current plan uses a different site and developer relationships.
Vote and next steps: After public comment and council discussion, the council approved the Steinberg Hart agreement. Staff said design work will proceed once escrow closes; the design phase will inform final project cost and timing and will be subject to forthcoming budget and contract authorizations.
The agreement was approved unanimously; the city will return to council with further design milestones and any required funding actions as the property acquisition and design proceed.
