U.S. General Services Administration
GSA hosts community meetings in Nogales to explore opportunities and shape the DeConcini LPOE modernization and expansion project
By: Javier Fernandez
Representatives from GSA Region 9 and the Center for Urban Planning and Design traveled to Nogales, Arizona, to conduct a series of stakeholder meetings as part of the agency’s ongoing public outreach efforts in support of the DeConcini Land Port of Entry (LPOE) modernization and expansion project. These meetings were conducted under GSA’s Good Neighbor Program, which provides federal expertise to help communities align their urban development goals with the economic opportunities created by federal construction projects. This initiative is part of Region 9’s broader LPOE program public engagement efforts.
More than 110 community leaders and stakeholders gathered at the Nogales Recreation Center, breaking into small groups in the indoor gym and multipurpose room. GSA joined representatives from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of Community Revitalization, who co-hosted a follow-up technical assistance workshop. Over two days of interactive sessions, participants engaged in hands-on exercises to identify goals and prioritize urban planning and redevelopment initiatives. GSA and EPA experts shared insights on how Nogales stakeholders could leverage this federal capital project to guide transportation planning, redevelopment, and broader economic and urban development goals.
“The DeConcini Land Port of Entry is a pivotal infrastructure project that presents both challenges and opportunities for the Nogales community,” said Monica Barba Cater, GSA Project Manager. “This workshop demonstrated how deeply invested the community is in shaping the future of their city. It’s inspiring to see residents, business owners, and officials coming together with a shared vision of revitalizing Nogales as a shopping, dining and entertainment destination.”
The port is significantly undersized for the current crossing volume, which now totals 2.8 million vehicles and 4.7 million pedestrians annually—a sharp increase from the port’s original capacity when it was built in 1973. Over the past 51 years, the “Ambos Nogales” region (Nogales, Arizona, and Nogales, Sonora),population has grown, reaching 280,000 residents. Updated U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guidelines now require expanding the port’s footprint to accommodate a larger northbound vehicle queueing area, an expanded secondary inspection zone, and new spaces for advanced inspection technologies.
The workshop kicked off with an introduction to the proposed DeConcini LPOE modernization and expansion project, inviting community members to engage in lively small tabletop exercises. Leaders shared ideas for boosting economic activity downtown, enhancing walkability, and showcasing Nogales’ unique arts and historic character. The following day, the group dove into strategy, examining case studies and pinpointing ways to improve connectivity in and around downtown. By the final session, participants had mapped out action plans with key steps, resources, and timelines to turn these ideas into reality.
“By working closely with local leaders and stakeholders, we’re ensuring that the DeConcini modernization and expansion project supports CBP’s operational and mission needs while allowing the city of Nogales to maximize the benefits of this federal investment to achieve its economic and urban development goals,” said Matt Shew, GSA Region 9 Acting Regional Chief Architect. “Our goal with the DeConcini project is to enhance the port’s operational capacity in a way that reflects Nogales’s unique needs and long-term vision.”
Later that day, GSA officials held another meeting with a broader group of stakeholders, including additional community members. The inaugural Community Representatives Committee meeting provided a platform to brief a crowd of 20 attendees on the DeConcini LPOE modernization and expansion project. The discussion focused on the feasibility study process, its current progress, and the steps GSA is taking to ensure the project aligns with CBP’s mission requirements while supporting security, travel efficiency, and environmental sustainability goals. The feasibility study, now 75% complete, outlines preliminary program requirements and identifies site-specific needs, such as parking configurations and phased development plans. It also addresses environmental justice concerns, examining the project’s potential impacts on parking, seasonal flooding, and community accessibility.
“These meetings are an integral part of any large federal capital construction project because they allow GSA to gather valuable feedback from the people who live in this community and cross through the port everyday,” said Anthony Kleppe, GSA Region 9 LPOE Program Manager. “That information is used to refine the project’s scope and the port’s design to better serve the CBP’s operational needs and facilitate more efficient cross-border traffic. The DeConcini LPOE modernization and expansion project presents unique challenges and opportunities, and engaging with stakeholders ensures we address these effectively while creating a port that meets future demands.”
The meeting also addressed the project’s potential impact on surface parking lots near the port and long-haul bus operations. Currently, most bus services operate within one block of the DeConcini LPOE, and the project is considering options to consolidate bus processing at the port. Although this shift is not yet finalized, relocating bus operations would include the addition of amenities such as restrooms and water fountains for passengers, with a nearby reboarding location still to be determined. These proposed changes aim to enhance efficiency and improve the passenger experience while maintaining accessibility. Additionally, community members voiced concerns about stormwater management and the adverse effects of flooding on the port, its operations, and the traveling public during the region’s intense monsoon season.
As a good neighbor, GSA actively seeks input from local stakeholders, addressing concerns about environmental impacts and accessibility, and collaborating on innovative, sustainable solutions, ensuring that the final port design reflects the needs and priorities of CBP and the broader Ambos Nogales community. As the DeConcini LPOE modernization and expansion project progresses, these critical stakeholder dialogues will continue to provide an opportunity for GSA representatives to communicate directly with key constituents, paving the way for a brand new, sustainable port of entry that enhances security, improves efficiency, and supports this unique, dynamic border region.