Escondido, CA – September 10, 2017: CILS completed renovation of the Escondido office building in August. The exterior of the building was renovated with the goal of providing a welcoming and comfortable space.

The Escondido office is centrally located near several Indian reservations and provides legal assistance to individuals and tribes in Southern California. CILS purchased the building in 1998 to ensure legal services would be available for decades to come. This is the first time the Escondido office has been updated.

When starting the project, using Native-owned businesses was important to CILS, and CILS turned to California Indian Chamber of Commerce’s Tracy Stanhoff and Cheri Myron for help. The renovation was completed by GC Green Incorporated, an Indian- woman- and veteran-owned company. The project spanned eight months and cost $118,000 including painting, updated safety features, landscaping, lighting, new entry doors, and signage.

Elizabeth Perez, President of GC Green Incorporated, stated, “We were excited to assist CILS in their extensive plans to upgrade their building. Being an Indian-owned construction company allowed us to understand their vision of a native environment. They were insistent about using Indian vendors, and so were we.”

“The value of networking at California Indian Chamber is illustrated by our ability to find both a construction company and a landscape architect in one meeting,” said Nicole Scott, CILS Director of Development and Marketing. “The Chamber helped us locate Elizabeth Perez of GC Green and Matthew Kennedy of Costello Kennedy Landscape Architecture to aid in our renovation.”

The new landscaping, designed by Costello Kennedy Landscape Architecture, gives a feeling of the natural landscape environment. More than forty plants of twelve species, all of which are native to southern California, can be found throughout the new landscape.

Dorothy Alther, CILS Executive Director, stated, “The building renovation made a big difference in the way the building feels. When visitors arrive for the first time, they can find our building because of the new signage. We brought the native landscaping inside the building by placing plants in both the downstairs and upstairs corridors. At night we have LED lights and video cameras to create more safety. The renovation has improved the staff and visitor experience.”

The renovation was made possible by a Façade and Property Improvement Grant from the City of Escondido, a Neighborhood Reinvestment Program Grant from Supervisor Dave Roberts, a donation from the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation and general donations throughout the year.