A “preferred option” from a 2022 county master plan of 1430 Freedom Blvd. includes hubs for behavioral health, public health, clinics and other services. (County of Santa Cruz)
Last updated: March 2024
Project name: Freedom Campus Master Plan
Location: 1430 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville
Project description
The Freedom Campus Master Plan is a proposal to rebuild county facilities at 1430 Freedom Blvd. to create a South County hub for Health Services Agency administrative and outpatient services. The master plan includes a phased demolition of all buildings and would relocate non-health services to the county’s 500 Westridge Drive facility. The location is currently home to the Santa Cruz County Probation Department, the Santa Cruz County Behavioral Health Division and the Watsonville Health Center.
A master plan from November 2022 included:
- A crisis stabilization center for youth.
- A “public health hub” that would serve vulnerable residents including homeless people.
- Outpatient services including adult and children’s primary care, dental care, adult and children’s behavioral health services.
- Space for “community-serving uses” potentially including a kitchen and a multi-purpose room.
The county owns the 9.8-acre property and the plan sets aside approximately 4 acres of the property for a potential future housing development that would include affordable units.
Status
- A master plan was published in November 2022. Plans have not been approved and full campus construction could span more than 20 years, according to the 2022 plan.
- Santa Cruz County staff were “reviewing building design options” and had “no new updates regarding timeline” in March 2024, said Jason Hoppin, a county spokesman.
Developer
The County of Santa Cruz is the developer.
A 2022 county plan for 1430 Freedom Blvd. includes potential housing and construction in several phases. (County of Santa Cruz)
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