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Board approves $2.5 million transfer to stabilize McCormick Hall at Solano County Fairgrounds
Summary
The board approved an appropriation transfer of $2,500,000 from the capital renewal reserve and $59,894 from liability proceeds to re-roof and stabilize McCormick Hall, citing corrosion and structural rot in a rear wall; staff recommended Option A as the fastest way to preserve ARPA funds and keep the facility available. Vote 4-0.
The Solano County Board of Supervisors on April 14 approved appropriation transfers totaling $2,559,894 to stabilize McCormick Hall at the Solano County Fairgrounds and complete a reroof and structural repairs.
Capital Projects Manager Mark Hummel described structural findings uncovered during site investigation: corrosion on metal connections and rot in the north rear wall that stiffens the building against lateral movement. "The structural engineer said, look, you got to fix this before you put your weight on the roof," Hummel told the board. Staff presented Option A — reroof plus structural repairs — as the fastest, lowest near-term capital investment to stabilize the building and meet ARPA spending timelines.
Staff listed the recommended funding package as roughly $1,000,000 in ARPA funds, $2,500,000 from the capital renewal reserve and proceeds from county liability insurance, producing a total recommended budget of a little over $3.5 million. County accounting staff advised that full replacement or comprehensive modernization could be far higher, with replacement estimates between $15 million and $20 million; staff said those larger projects exceed currently available capital reserves.
Supervisors pressed staff about contingency planning and hazardous-materials risks at 50% design. Georgette Portier, senior management analyst, told the board the team has factored contingencies into the cost estimate and plans to monitor costs closely so the county does not return for more funding. Fairgrounds leadership said bookings for 2026 are strong and the association is pursuing additional outside funding for ventilation work.
The board approved the ATRs and transfers by a 4-0 vote. Staff said they will monitor costs during construction, pursue outside funding where available and return with longer-term planning for internal systems after work is complete.
