LANCASTER, Calif., July 11,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The City of Lancaster is celebrating a significant
milestone in the construction of its Multi-Agency Regional
Resilience Center (MARRC) project with a groundbreaking ceremony
that was held on July 11, 2024, at
the AV Fair & Event Center. This project is made possible
through a collaboration of several entities including the
City of Lancaster, LA County,
Antelope Valley Union High School District, CA Department of Food
and Agriculture, and the City of
Palmdale.
"MARRC is going to make a world of difference in our City and
our region's emergency response capabilities," said Mayor
R. Rex Parris. "I am thrilled to
break ground on this life-changing project and I am so incredibly
humbled that my family has been honored in the naming of the
facility. We are also grateful to partner with the AV Fair &
Event Center on this effort to create a better emergency and event
center for the Antelope Valley."
In a special announcement at the ceremony, it was revealed that
the MARRC will be named "Parris Center" in honor of Mayor
R. Rex Parris and his family's
unwavering dedication and service to the City of Lancaster. Mayor Parris has been a
visionary leader, consistently championing initiatives that promote
community well-being, sustainability, and innovation. His tireless
efforts in fostering economic development, enhancing public safety,
and advocating for renewable energy solutions have left an
indelible mark on Lancaster. The
Parris family's long-standing commitment to public service and
their active involvement in numerous community projects have been
instrumental in shaping a brighter future for all residents. Naming
the center after Mayor Parris is a testament to his and his
family's enduring legacy and the profound impact they have had on
the city.
Additionally, the community kitchen within the center will be
named the "Karen Ross Community Kitchen," paying tribute to
Karen Ross, Secretary of the
California Department of Food and Agriculture, whose steadfast
support was instrumental in securing funding for the MARRC project.
Secretary Ross's dedication to agricultural sustainability and her
unwavering support for community initiatives have been pivotal in
bringing this project to fruition.
Lancaster's MARRC will create
more secure shelter space, improve kitchen and sanitation
facilities, provide showers, and make other necessary upgrades to
ensure protection and comfort for Lancaster's citizens and families and the
entire region in times of need. The site will be powered by
renewable energy, such as hydrogen, improving its resiliency and
continuing the City's achievements as an international leader in
green energy technology.
The new center will bolster the region's emergency preparedness
capabilities, especially in response to the challenges posed by
climate change. The grant will be used to build infrastructure to
support the emergency evacuation and shelter of people, pets, and
livestock, while also financing facilities and tools to optimize
the usage of these sites as base camps during emergency events.
"The groundbreaking of the Multi-Agency Regional Resilience
Center (MARRC) is a transformative milestone for Lancaster residents and the entire Antelope
Valley," said Vice Mayor Marvin
Crist. "This generational project will provide our community
with essential facilities during emergencies and significantly
enhance our year-round service capabilities. The MARRC will not
only ensure our residents have the necessary resources in times of
crisis but also foster ongoing community development. We are
excited to see this center take shape and make a substantial,
lasting difference in people's lives, contributing to a safer and
more resilient future for all."
MARRC will be the first building of its kind to use hydrogen,
electricity, and heat pumps to have no carbon footprint. It will
reach a very impressive level of sustainability and energy strength
which will help support our valley during emergencies. ENSO
Infrastructure LLC and Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) have
teamed together, with support from Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology
Development Organization (NEDO), to demonstrate a state-of-the-art
energy management system (EMS) at MARRC using locally-generated
solar power for producing the hydrogen. This collaboration will
show Lancaster and the world what
this energy technology is capable of. MARCC will become the first
large Zero Energy Building (ZEB) using green hydrogen for electric
power generation, energy storage and heat, as well as for EV
charging, and fueling for light- to heavy-duty hydrogen
vehicles.
These improvements will also enable the City to broaden services
and capabilities for a host of events throughout the year,
enhancing the value of these community-based assets. Selected
projects were evaluated for their potential to offer spaces for
community use outside of emergencies, and to support year-round
services and activities that strengthen our local community through
civic, social, educational, and economic development
initiatives.
The groundbreaking ceremony marks the beginning of an exciting
new chapter for Lancaster as the
City takes proactive steps to build a more resilient future for all
its residents.
About The City of
Lancaster
Lancaster is a diverse
community of nearly 170,000, leading the future through science,
technology, art, culture, and collaboration. Home to astronauts,
rocket scientists, families, and innovative businesses large and
small, we are leading the USA with
innovation. Combined with spectacular landscapes and clean air,
Lancaster has the confidence,
expertise, spirit, and imagination to transform tomorrow. We are:
Creating a better tomorrow. Visit us at
www.cityoflancasterca.gov.
CONTACT: press@cityoflancasterca.gov
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SOURCE City of Lancaster,
CA