Santee approves contract for community center, costs increase

The Santee City Council has approved a $26.8 million contract for a community center that has been in the works for decades, with construction set to begin in February.

The total cost of the project has again increased. According to a staff presentation to City Council on Wednesday, the budget rose by an additional $3.1 million.

The East County city has been weighing funding options for the project for years.

Council members said they hoped there would not be further increases; city staff said it would likely be the last.

The spike was primarily to prevent staff from having to come back to ask for further funding if additional costs arise, Principal Civil Engineer Steven Miller said, noting that it is not “money considered spent.”

The project will largely be funded by $14 million in development impact fees, alongside a $4.5 million state grant, money from the general fund and American Rescue Plan funds. This left a $6.6 million shortfall.

Council members unanimously agreed to take $6.6 million from general fund reserves, which city staff said would likely be paid back through future development impact fees.

City leaders awarded the contract for the community center project to Barnhart-Reese Construction, a contracting company that has completed many large projects throughout San Diego Coun...