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A groundbreaking ceremony was held today for the long-awaited EaRTH Center, a development that will bring dozens of new affordable housing units and a transit center to downtown Eureka.

Officials there dug around in a symbolic dirt box and rejoiced that construction is finally getting started.

“This is a labor of love,” said Eureka Mayor Kim Bergel. “It’s a collaboration. It’s been a beautiful project,” she said, but added there have also been some really difficult conversations.

The project will mean the conversion of two city-owned parking lots, something that enraged some residents during the lengthy planning phase.

Nevertheless, the EaRTH Center, a partnership between the City of Eureka and Humboldt Transit Authority (HTA), has marched forward.

“I think that the good news is that it’s happening now. It’s going to be a great thing for our city. We’re going to have a lot more people in Old Town, and opportunities for people to be able to get around,” said Bergel.

Located at 3rd Street and H Street, the Eureka Regional Transit & Housing (EaRTH) Center will bring a central transit hub to the city, plus 45 units of affordable housing and a handful of ground-level commercial spaces.

Construction on the center will start over the next few weeks, and is expected to take around 20 months, give or take, according to Chris Dart, Danco president of development.

During his remarks, he told the smattering of attendees the company has undertaken nothing quite like this before — the unique project involved some complicated planning, including paperwork involved in HTA owning the first level. He said it’s clear to him that a lot of very dedicated people have been working for years to make it happen.

“I think this is something that we can all be proud of,” he said.

Danco announced the project was fully funded in December 2025, following changes to early designs and approval by city government bodies.

HTA’s main transit hub for the entire region will be hosted on-site, once completed. This will include outdoor transit stops and parking for buses. Riders can look forward to bathrooms, locking bike storage and a transit center lobby on the first floor — which will serve as a warm, dry place to sit while waiting for transportation.

“Eureka has long needed a transit center, as well as, of course, more walkable, affordable homes, and this project delivers both,” said Colin Fiske, executive director of the Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities, during his remarks.

Katie Collender, general manager of HTA, said the center will be unlike anything else offered locally. She said the project will bring in both people riding transit and the greater community to the commercial space on the ground floor.

Humboldt County 4th District Supervisor Natalie Arroyo, board member of HTA, said the hub will be a great place for bus riders to jump on longer routes.

“For those who don’t ride transit, it’s something that might not be as visible to them, that might not be a part of their everyday lives. But for many people, it’s a lifeline to work, to school, to get to and from their homes, and medical appointments and much more. So it really is a critical part of our community,” she said during her speech, noting the HTA serves about half a million riders each year.

Officials lauded the addition of housing in the city. The development can house up to 83 people in affordable units.

The city of Eureka has made a concerted effort to convert city property into affordable housing in recent years.

“This transit center and housing development is close to my heart because these will be my neighbors, and it will be my most frequented transit stop,” said Eureka Councilmember Leslie Castellano during her remarks.

“Local businesses will benefit from having more people living and working and spending time in the heart of Eureka. The homes here will allow Old Town clerks, baristas, librarians, waitstaff, social workers, artists and many others to live within an easy walk of their jobs,” she said.

Included in the development are 11 units reserved for people with disabilities.

Jonathan Padilla, executive director of the Redwood Coast Regional Center, said the center will mean access to the downtown area for people they serve, and access to transportation. He said it will go a long way toward helping people live meaningful lives — to be integrated, included and valued members of the community.

“Affordable housing for people that have developmental disabilities is one of the most frequently cited issues that the people we serve face,” he said.

Danco’s Chris Dart estimated at least a hundred people will be employed during the project’s construction.

He said the project is mostly local construction sourcing - and the company is excited about bringing a multi-million dollar project to the local economy.

“[Danco] construction guys, they travel a lot outside the area because there’s not enough work going around here. But they’re going to be able to be here locally and do the construction work and go home to their families every night, which is really exciting for us,” he said.

He said they’re confident parking will not be a problem. He pointed to the Sorrel Place, in Arcata, an affordable housing development with limited parking. He said despite this, the development received thousands of applications from prospective tenants.