Local Builder Wins Humane Society Job

SAN DIEGO-With a contractor in tow, the city’s new 44,500-sf, state-of-the-art animal care center for the San Diego Humane Society and Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is slated for an October ground-breaking.

Keeton Construction Co. of San Diego landed the $6-million contract for the construction of the new center, located on a 2.5-acre site at 5500 Gaines St. in the Mission Valley area.

The facility is an integral part of the new $10-million San Diego Campus for Animal Care, representing a collaboration between the San Diego Humane Society, the city and county. The two-phased project began with the ground-breaking for the new San Diego County Animal Control facility in May 2000.

Phase two will entail construction of the facility for the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA, which will begin October 2001 and be completed the following September. Both facilities will share a central plaza and entry court. The entire campus is expected to be fully operational by late 2002.

The one-story, wood-framed and stucco facility for the San Diego Humane Society and SPCA includes an “adoption gallery” with dog and cat habitats, and separate dog and cat holding wards; an animal bathing and grooming room; a dog exercise and play area; a veterinary medical center to serve animals on the campus; and an area encompassing an auditorium, classrooms, conference room, interactive learning area and volunteer center.

Bruce G. Keeton is serving as principal-in-charge for Keeton, with Ed Monroe as structural advisor, Ken Oftedal as project manager, and Mike Grieser as onsite superintendent.