SAN DIEGO (Sept. 9, 2026) – PCL Construction Services, Inc. and Casa Familiar celebrated the opening of the La Semilla Community Center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by community leaders, project partners and local residents and stakeholders. The event marked a major milestone for a project designed to create opportunities for education, community gatherings and connection in San Ysidro, California.

Spearheaded by Casa Familiar and built by PCL Construction, La Semilla was envisioned as a neighborhood resource that brings people together while supporting long-term community well-being. The project's name, La Semilla, meaning "the seed" in Spanish, reflects the idea that meaningful investments today can create lasting benefits for future generations.

Located in San Ysidro, the development includes a community-focused facility, a residential unit, and indoor and outdoor learning spaces designed to support education, connection and neighborhood engagement. Features such as mass timber structural and architectural elements, shaded gathering areas, solar power with battery storage, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, water-capture systems and a food forest provide opportunities for learning while demonstrating practical approaches to sustainability.

"Our climate is changing," said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. "We see it all around us, and this is one of the ways we're trying to address it."

The facility's sustainable design elements not only support environmental stewardship but also strengthen community resilience by providing educational opportunities and helping the center remain operational during extreme weather events and other disruptions.

"This project was unique because it was built in the heart of the community it is designed to serve," said Brian Chen, project manager for PCL Construction. "Throughout construction, residents followed its progress and shared in the vision for what La Semilla could become. Seeing that vision realized as a space for learning, connection and community engagement is especially meaningful."

Developed through close collaboration among Casa Familiar, Magic Animals, McCullough Landscape Architecture, PCL Construction and members of the San Ysidro community, La Semilla reflects a shared commitment to creating a welcoming and accessible space for residents. Community input helped shape the project's design and goals, ensuring it reflects local priorities and provides lasting value to the community.

The collaborative approach helped create a center designed to meet both current and future neighborhood needs. La Semilla is intended to serve as a year-round gathering and education center where residents can access resources, participate in programming and connect with neighbors. The facility incorporates sustainable design features and can support community needs during extreme weather events and other disruptions, reinforcing its role as a long-term asset for the neighborhood.

Designed to serve the needs of San Ysidro today while fostering long-term community well-being, La Semilla stands as a lasting investment in education, sustainability and neighborhood connection.

About PCL Construction
PCL Construction is one of the most respected and accomplished global construction leaders, comprising independent companies operating throughout the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Australia. With an annual construction volume of $9.9 billion USD, PCL builds projects that shape communities and strengthen infrastructure. The company’s 100% employee ownership model fuels a culture of commitment for clients in the buildings, civil infrastructure, heavy industrial and solar markets. With a strategic presence in more than 30 major centers, PCL’s leadership teams consistently drive innovation and set new benchmarks for excellence, bringing unparalleled skill to every project. Watch us build at PCL.com.