Environmental Review Published For Gilroy Civic Center Master Plan

The Environmental Impact Report has been published for a plan to reimagine the Civic Center masterplan in Gilroy, Santa Clara County. The plans would replace the existing city hall and several other structures to produce a cohesive campus for the municipal government. ELS Architecture and Urban Design is responsible for drafting the master plan, with SWA working as the landscape architect.

Gilroy Civic Center Master Plan view of the new pool, illustration by ELS Architecture and Urban Design

Gilroy Civic Center Master Plan recreation center interior, illustration by ELS Architecture and Urban Design

The master plan preserves the existing Gilroy Library and Police Headquarters, and demolition is expected for the Wheeler Center, City Hall, and the Senior Center. There are three new buildings planned, including a modernized City Hall, a multigenerational Community Center, and a Recreation and Aquatics Center. Vehicular parking will include approximately 300 on-site spaces and 125 additional frontage spaces.

The campus will be connected with a new green space facing Church Street, and an east-west pedestrian corridor extending to the police station. The open lawn is designed to accommodate a potential farmers’ market, live performances, and community gatherings.

Gilroy Civic Center Master Plan community center interior, illustration by ELS Architecture and Urban Design

Gilroy Civic Center Master Plan overview, illustration by SWA

ELS Architecture and Urban Design is responsible for drafting the master plan. The firm has integrated sustainable and resilient strategies across the campus. Notable design features to achieve this include the use of cross-laminated timber as a primary structure material, solar panels, all-electric HVAC systems to eliminate the use of natural gas, and passive ventilation to naturally cool the buildings.

Gilroy City Hall, illustration by ELS Architecture and Urban Design

Gilroy Civic Center existing condition, image via Google Satellite

The Draft Environmental Impact Report was published last week. The city is now soliciting community feedback that could inform the Final Environmental Impact Report. For more information about how to contribute or learn more, visit the city website here.

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