Escrow on the future site for a new homeless services center at 40 Prado Road closed this morning and title has transferred, bringing the reality of building a consolidated facility closer to reality. The acquisition was the result of a unique alliance between the Community Action Partnership of SLO County and the SLO Regional Transit Authority, which purchased the property outright. RTA will utilize approximately five of the nine acres for a future maintenance and operations facility. CAPSLO meanwhile will utilize up to three acres to build the new center, which will include 100 permanent beds – half of what was originally projected – and other facilities. Design plans are currently in the works as is program service development. The center is estimated to cost $4.5 million to build, significantly less than projected at the prior site. CAPSLO has commitments of about $2.5 million from past major donors, and city and county government funding. Private fundraising being led by the Homeless Foundation of SLO County for the remaining $2 million is expected to begin immediately with ground breaking planned for 2015.