Cal Poly Humboldt Health Education Hub - Stewart Building
Summary
SCH Number
2026010521
Public Agency
Cal Poly Humboldt
Document Title
Cal Poly Humboldt Health Education Hub - Stewart Building
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
1/16/2026
Document Description
In partnership with College of the Redwoods, Cal Poly Humboldt proposes to repurpose the Stewart Building and create a state-of-the-art Health Education Hub, which will include multiple high-fidelity simulation labs that will replicate pre-hospital care, intra-hospital care, and home care experiences. The facility will have space for classrooms, offices, and a conference site for Cal Poly Humboldt and College of the Redwoods. In addition to nursing education, it will also be used to train allied health professionals such as EMTs, paramedics, kinesiology and fall prevention specialists, physical therapists, psychiatric technicians, scrub technicians, respiratory therapy, radiology technicians, and more. Furthermore, the building will undergo seismic retrofitting, utility and ADA-compliant upgrades, window, storefront and roof replacements and become a LEED Gold Equivalent certified per version 4 for BD+C of the USGBC standard. As a result, renovations to the interior and exterior of the Stewart Building will be required.
Contact Information
Name
Deirdre Clem
Agency Name
Lead Agency
Job Title
Project & Space Analyst
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Address
Phone
Location
Coordinates
Cities
Arcata
Counties
Humboldt
Regions
Northern California
Cross Streets
16th Street between J Street and L Street
Zip
95521
Total Acres
1.59 acres
Parcel #
020-133-003
State Highways
Highway 101
Schools
Arcata High School, Six Rivers Charter High School, PacificCstHS
Waterways
Jolly Giant Creek, McDaniel Slough, Humboldt Bay, Gannon Slough, Janes Creek, Liscom Slough
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
Class 1 (15301); Class 3 (15303), Class 31 (15331), common sense exemption (15061b3)
Reasons for Exemption
Class 1: The project would include upgrades to existing utilities, seismic retrofitting, upgrades to lighting and flooring, and reconfiguring the existing outdoor stairs and ramp to be ADA code complaint. There would be no additions to the building. The project would involve the transition to new classroom and conference space to meet existing classroom demand and to support implementation of a new healthcare training facility, which would be a negligible expansion of use, as the building has recently been used as commercial/office/educational space. The project also includes minor building alterations to improve seismic stability. Restoration or rehabilitation of deteriorated or damaged structures, facilities, or mechanical equipment to meet current standards of public health and safety clearly falls within the bounds of this exemption.
Class 3: The project, as defined above, would involve minor modifications to the exterior of the building, including replacing old roof shingles and metal window frames with similar materials in terms of appearance and placement. The proposed renovation of the existing facility is intended to support classroom programming and public safety, and no new facilities or structures would be constructed. Additionally, the project area is not considered environmentally sensitive for biological nor for cultural resources, and the project sites are already served by existing public utilities from the City of Arcata. The project consists of minor modifications to an existing building, including utility and ADA compliant upgrades, seismic retrofitting, and roof replacement, within a developed portion of the City of Arcata in an urbanized setting. The project would include upgrades to existing utilities, seismic retrofitting, upgrades to lighting and flooring, and reconfiguring the existing outdoor stairs and ramp to be ADA code complaint. There would be no additions to the building. No part of the project constitutes an expansion of use; instead, the project would involve the transition to new classroom, office, and conference space to support implementation of a new healthcare training facility.
Class 31: The project, as defined above, would involve physical modifications to the Stewart Building, including utility and ADA compliant upgrades, seismic retrofitting, and roof replacement. The goal is to replace exterior elements in-kind visually but with alternate materials where necessary. The Stewart Building is a City of Arcata Historic Landmark However, the building has been recommended ineligible for the CRHR and the NRHP. All proposed modifications to the building have been determined by a professionally qualified architectural historian to comply with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties. Therefore, no significant impacts to the Stewart Building would occur. Following project implementation, the historic property would retain its integrity and remain eligible for local listing.
Common Sense: In addition to the reasons listed in the Classes 1, 3, and 31 discussions, the project would be within the scope, scale, and nature of operations already occurring at the Stewart Building. The project is a continuation of a like use on a developed site and would not result in a significant effect on the environment (Ascent, memorandum entitled “Cal Poly Humboldt Health Education Hub – Stewart Building” and Ascent “Appendix A – Stewart Building – Secretary of the Interior’s Standards Consistency”).
All materials cited herein and relied upon for the above determinations are available for public review through the Lead Agency Contact Person indicated below, or can be viewed at the following website: https://www.humboldt.edu/facilities-management/capital-projects/craftsman-student-housing
County Clerk
Humboldt
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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