Ceres E. Whitmore Shopping Center Project

The City of Ceres is advancing the Ceres E. Whitmore Shopping Center Project, a commercial development on approximately 3.7 acres of vacant land at the intersection of East Whitmore Avenue and nearby corridors in Ceres, California, with a ZIP code of 95307. The project will include two fast-food restaurants, a multi-tenant retail building, and a quick oil-change center, aiming to enhance retail, dining, and service options along a key commercial corridor while maintaining compatibility with adjacent residential and commercial uses. The development is governed by local and state regulatory frameworks including the CALGreen Code, Title 24, ASHRAE HVAC standards, CEQA Guidelines Appendix G, SJVAPCD thresholds, SB 375 greenhouse gas targets, and AB 1279’s 2045 carbon neutrality mandate. Mandatory performance requirements include the installation of MERV-8 air filters, all-electric appliances by 2026 for interiors and 2029 for exteriors, EV charging for 8% of parking spaces, carpool incentives, and comprehensive stormwater quality control measures verified through visual inspections and water sampling. Construction activities are scheduled to commence in late May 2027, beginning with site preparation and grading, with all work subject to compliance with Ceres Municipal Code provisions and the 2022 California Fire Code. Environmental and cultural compliance is central to the project’s execution. The contractor must adhere to stringent protocols under California’s Health and Safety Code and Public Resources Code for the inadvertent discovery of human remains, requiring immediate work cessation and notification of authorities. Hazardous material management must comply with RCRA and California Department of Toxic Substances Control regulations, and all projects must integrate erosion and sediment controls as well as greenhouse gas mitigation consistent with regional sustainability goals. Although no formal contract value, pricing structure, or FAR-based clauses are disclosed, the City of Ceres serves as the lead agency responsible for environmental review, permitting, and final acceptance, with oversight coordinated through its Planning Division. Key project contacts include Kelsey George, Contract Planner, and Francisco Martin, Project Engineer, who oversee environmental and technical compliance. Proposal submissions are to be directed to the City of Ceres, with supporting environmental documentation potentially required in both electronic and hardcopy formats, though no formal deadline or solicitation number has been published. The procurement is classified as a forecast, indicating planning or pre-acquisition awareness rather than a formal solicitation for bids or proposals under federal acquisition rules.