Efforts to modernize the Douglas Port of Entry in southeastern Arizona advanced on Friday with the General Services Administration (GSA) awarding a contract to Tuscon-based architectural firm Line and Space to conduct a feasibility study.
The feasibility study will aim to evaluate and identify needed upgrades and expansions of the port, which was built in 1933 and last updated more than 20 years ago. The port’s traffic has steadily increased over the years, and the city of Douglas sought approval for a new Douglas Port of Entry in 2012.
“We are pleased to see that the General Services Administration is moving forward with the feasibility study that will look at the investments needed to modernize the existing port of entry and the urgent need to relocate commercial traffic to a new port of entry,” Douglas Mayor Robert Uribe said.
U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) agreed that GSA’s selection of a contractor indicates that the modernization project is progressing.
“After years of fighting to move this project forward, I am pleased to announce another step towards completion,” McSally said. “Right now our Customs and Border Protection Officers are doing the best they can with an outdated and inadequate facility, but they are dealing with steep increases in two-way traffic and if this project is not completed, our port won’t be able to meet the minimum requirements to keep up. Modernizing our port and building a new one in Douglas is not just good for our local economy — it is necessary for our security. I won’t stop until this project is a reality.”