CROWS LANDING — Stanislaus County’s long-planned transformation of the former Crows Landing Air Facility into a regional employment hub is gaining momentum, with key water infrastructure projects now out for bid and construction expected to begin by late summer.

The Crows Landing Industrial Business Park (CLIBP), a multi-phase redevelopment of the 1,528-acre site, aims to revitalize the western county’s economy by creating sustainable-wage jobs and improving the local jobs-to-housing balance. The site, once a Cold War-era auxiliary airfield for Naval Air Station Alameda, was conveyed to the county in 1999 under Public Law 106-82 following its closure under the Department of Defense’s Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process.

The county adopted the CLIBP Specific Plan in 2018, envisioning more than 14 million square feet of industrial and commercial space and a 370-acre public-use airport at full buildout. Development is expected to span 30 to 40 years.

The first phase of backbone infrastructure, known as Phase 1A, includes water and wastewater facilities, grading, drainage, utilities, and road improvements. Estimated costs range from $36 million to $42 million, with $20 million in county General Fund reserves already committed. Of that, $4.2 million has been allocated for design and engineering.

Federal and state support is also bolstering the project. Nearly $3.5 million was earmarked in the Fiscal Year 2023 federal budget for potable water infrastructure through the Environmental Protection Agency’s State and Tribal Assistance Grants (STAG) program. In March 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved an additional $12 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds for CLIBP infrastructure.

The latest quarterly report, which the Board of Supervisors will hear Tuesday and vote on, includes new updates on project costs and funding allocations. Some projects now show identified funding exceeding estimated costs, prompting county staff to prepare recommendations for reallocating surplus funds as construction plans are finalized.

Water infrastructure improvements currently out for bid include:

• Installation of approximately 18,000 feet of dual 12-inch water mains from the 2022 Well Site to The Landing @Crows Reservoir and Pump Station.
• Construction of a 1.6-million-gallon welded steel water storage tank.
• Development of a pump station with six variable-frequency drive pumps, pressure relief systems, and bypass capabilities.
• A masonry electrical control building with full operational equipment.
• Emergency backup power via a pad-mounted diesel generator.
• An 11,000-gallon hydro-pneumatic tank with air compressor and controls.
• Yard piping, valving, and appurtenances, all to be disinfected per health standards.

Environmental clearance under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) has been completed, while federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review is still underway.

The bid opening for the water improvements is scheduled for July 2025, with construction anticipated to begin shortly thereafter.

The Board of Supervisors has emphasized that the CLIBP aligns with its priorities of enhancing community infrastructure and delivering efficient public services. Quarterly updates will continue to be presented in August, November, February, and May until the project is complete.