Earth Center

Below is a description of the EaRTH Center Project. The City would like to hear your questions and comments.  Please use the discussion tool below to engage.

Project Description

On November 16, 2021, City Council entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Humboldt Transit Authority (“HTA”) to collaborate on the development of the 3rd Street City-owned parking lots between G and H Streets for an intermodal transit center on the ground floor with three stories of affordable housing above. The site is approximately 0.61 acres in size and contains two contiguous parcels. The transit center is intended to integrate local and intercity bus service with other mobility options like rideshare, paratransit, bicycle and pedestrian travel at this centrally-located Downtown site surrounded by jobs and services. The transit center will include a lobby, courtyard, offices, restrooms, and five leasable commercial/retail tenant spaces fronting the street. The second through fourth floors will have a total of 46 residential dwelling units (45 affordable and one manager’s unit), consisting of three studio apartments, 18 one-bedroom, 13 two-bedroom, and 12 three-bedroom units. The second floor will contain residential common areas and amenities, including a community room with kitchen, a fitness room, and a 2,613-sf outdoor terrace with playground. In addition, each floor will contain laundry facilities, and two floors (third and fourth) will contain long-term bicycle storage.

How does the EaRTH Center help towards the City’s share of the region’s projected housing need?

How was this project initiated?

HTA was awarded a California State Transportation Agency 2022 Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) grant with up to $10 million for the construction of an intermodal transit center. On October 18, 2022, Council adopted an amendment to the Housing Element that in part added the EaRTH Center to Implementation Program IMP-34 to meet the City’s lower income RHNA. On May 1, 2024, HTA’s Board adopted a resolution approving Danco as the developer for the EaRTH Center project, and authorizing commitment of TIRCP grant funds to Danco, subject to HTA's approval of the conceptual site plan for the ground floor. City Council then authorized the City Manager to enter into a Disposition and Development Agreement with Danco for the development of the Earth Center on June 4, 2024. City Staff then worked with Danco and HTA on the project’s design, and the project received Design Review approval from the City’s Design Review Committee at a noticed public hearing on January 8, 2025. Danco is now gearing up to apply for additional project funding with the hope of applying for building permits and commencing construction in the next two years.