Project Bobcat

Project Bobcat, identified by solicitation number SP#25-0016, is a development project by the City of Merced, California, to construct a heavy industrial distribution facility. The project involves developing approximately 27.49 acres of a larger 58.25-acre property, featuring a concrete building with a footprint of approximately 151,760 to 152,000 square feet. Site improvements include a dedicated truck yard, loading dock area, an emergency access road, and parking for 183 standard stalls and 7 accessible stalls. Construction is anticipated to take place from July 2026 to June 2027 and will involve significant grading, including 31,000 cubic yards of cut, 67,000 cubic yards of fill, and 36,000 cubic yards of imported soil. The project is governed by the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), with a Mitigated Negative Declaration adopted on July 9, 2026, following a public review period. Key compliance requirements include adherence to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), FEMA floodplain management regulations, and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. Environmental safeguards include a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), a Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plan, and strict protocols for the discovery of human remains. Additionally, the project emphasizes sustainability by requiring that at least 50 percent of delivery vans be electric and the installation of EV charging stations.