Public Works eyes move for examiner
LANCASTER — The Los Angeles County Public Works Department is seeking approval from the LA County Board of Supervisors for the Medical Examiner — High Desert Replacement project.
The proposed $4.2 million project would see the medical examiner move its Antelope Valley Regional Office from the former High Desert Hospital site at 44900 60th St. West to an existing modular building near the northern part of the former Challenger Memorial Youth Center, near 5300 West Ave. I.
The medical examiner’s existing facility is in a portion of the vacant High Desert Hospital that is not conducive to sustaining their operations due to the aged facility infrastructure, as well as several security issues, including vandalism and intrusion of the building, according to a letter to the board from Public Works Director Mark Pestrella.
“The security costs associated with addressing posed threats to the department staff and equipment are not sustainable, and a space request was submitted to the Chief Executive Office in June 2021 to identify alternate locations to house ME High Desert operations,” Pestrella wrote.
The 3,600-square-foot modular building was previously used as staff sleeping quarters.
The proposed project would allow the medical examiner to maintain service levels and response times to the community and area law enforcement agencies in the city of Lancaster and other north county areas, the letter said. The proposed project would renovate the modular building including construction of a new exterior building enclosure to house the crypt for decadent storage, and moving current operations to the renovated facilities.
“The renovations to the modular building would provide four offices; an evidence room, a conference room, storage, and a kitchenette,” the letter said. “The new exterior building enclosure would house a 10-body crypt and future autopsy space, emergency generator, storage for 18 Conex cargo containers, as well as exterior items including a 10-foot-high security fence, pavement, site lighting, and security cameras.”
The Board of Supervisors will consider the recommendation at Tuesday’s meeting. If approved, the project is projected to start in March and be completed by the end of the year.
The board is scheduled to meet at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in board hearing room 381B at Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, 500 West Temple St. in downtown Los Angeles.
To participate by phone, call 877-226-8163. Use participant code 1336503. To listen by telephone only call 877-873-8017, use Access Code 111111 for English and 222222 for Spanish.