Cordoba Corporation proudly joined community leaders, elected officials, and civil rights advocates on Saturday, June 28, to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Dolores Huerta Peace and Justice Cultural Center in downtown Bakersfield. The event marked a historic milestone in the decades-long vision of labor icon Dolores Huerta and the Dolores Huerta Foundation.
The new center, which will also serve as the Foundation’s headquarters, is designed to be a hub for education, grassroots organizing, and cultural unity. Cordoba Corporation, serving as the project’s program and construction manager, was honored to help bring this transformative vision to life.
“This project represents the kind of work we are most passionate about — infrastructure that empowers communities and honors legacy,” said George L. Pla, Founder and CEO of Cordoba Corporation. “We were proud to stand beside Dolores Huerta and her team as they broke ground on a space that will inspire generations of changemakers.”
The groundbreaking ceremony featured a land acknowledgment, youth speakers, and remarks from public officials. Dolores Huerta, now 95, emphasized the center’s role in training future organizers and fostering equity. “We have to have an organizing academy where we can train people how to become organizers,” she said. “They are the ones that are going to guide us forward”.
The $35 million project received $15 million in funding from the California Legislature, with an additional $7 million secured to address rising costs. The center is expected to open in January 2027 and will include a multicultural community space, an organizing institute, and a credit union — all designed to serve one of California’s most underserved regions.
Cordoba Corporation is the Project Manager of this project and remains committed to delivering projects that reflect the values of justice, inclusion, and community empowerment.
