The County of San Diego has been recognized as the 2025 California Owner of the Year by ENR West, celebrating its commitment to infrastructure, sustainability, and public service. The county’s capital and major maintenance programs are among the most robust in the state, with approximately $600 million in active capital projects and $400 million in major maintenance efforts focused on public safety and human services upgrades.

Transformative Projects in San Diego County

One of the county’s most significant recent projects is the $63.5-million Southeast Live Well Center, a 5,000-square-foot net-zero-energy social services facility that was named ENR’s Best of the Best Project of the Year. The project was lauded for its strong stakeholder engagement and community-driven design.

Another milestone project nearing completion is the $93-million Public Health Laboratory and Garage. The 52,000-square-foot, two-story facility is set to enhance the county’s capacity for infectious disease testing, food and water safety monitoring, and pathogen detection. The lab is a crucial addition to the county’s infrastructure, bolstering public health efforts for years to come.

These projects align with a broader strategy of modernizing county facilities and optimizing operational efficiency. The county is currently consolidating its operations campus, relocating 20 departments, and reducing physical footprints to align with evolving telework and hybrid work models.

Commitment to Sustainability and Community Engagement

The County of San Diego remains committed to sustainable building practices and community-centered development. Many of its ongoing and future projects prioritize environmental efficiency while maintaining a strong collaborative approach with stakeholders, contractors, and project teams.

This approach has allowed the county to successfully deliver complex projects on time and within budget, ensuring that public infrastructure meets the evolving needs of San Diego’s residents.

For more on San Diego County’s recognition as ENR West’s 2025 California Owner of the Year, check out the April issue of ENR West.

Originally reported by C.J. Schexnayder in ENR West.