*Community members are expected to wear a face covering and maintain physical distancing while inside the building.
- Watch the City's video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NqdoG_ZmII
The Hillsboro Civic Center is the first City of Hillsboro facility to reopen to serve community members and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Civic Center’s doors opened on Monday, June 1, for regular business hours. The building’s first, fourth, and fifth floors are accessible for service needs that cannot be accomplished online or by phone. The second and third floors remain closed to visitors.
Among the City services available inside the reopened Civic Center:
- Development services and permitting support (4th floor)
- Property information (4th floor)
- Municipal Court (1st floor)
- Utility Billing services and support (1st floor)
- City Manager’s Office (5th floor)
Health and Safety Measures Taken
Community members are expected to wear a face covering while inside the building and maintain physical distancing of at least six feet. Health and safety measures taken by City employees include:
- Installation of plexiglass
- Hand sanitizer stations upon entry
- Floor markers for where to stand in line with physical distancing
- Greeters on the first floor to help customers
- Face covering provided for those who need them
- Reduced occupancy of elevators, restrooms, and meeting rooms
- Blocked seating to maintain distancing in meeting rooms
- Disconnected water fountains
- Signage placed throughout the building with these reminders:
- If you have symptoms, do not enter
- Wear a face covering
- Maintain physical distancing of at least six feet
- Wash your hands
- Reduced entry and exit points
- One-way directional foot traffic
- Furniture removed for increased space
“We are glad to take this important first step in the eventual reopening of all City facilities, but we must continue to be safe and help protect each other during this pandemic,” said Robby Hammond, Hillsboro City Manager.
“The health and safety of City employees and customers is our top focus,” Hammond continued. “For everyone’s protection, the building is open for business, but everyone is expected to leave the facility as soon as their business is complete. Residents and other customers can access City services on our City website at Hillsboro-Oregon.gov, and you can call us for assistance as well.”
Other City facilities and amenities
Last week, several City of Hillsboro Parks & Recreation amenities reopened for community use, in cooperation with state guidelines, including:
- Dog parks
- Tennis courts
- Reedville Creek Skate Park
- Disc golf course at Orchard Park
- The boat launch at Rood Bridge Park
Basketball courts, soccer fields, playgrounds, and picnic shelters remain closed for now to avoid encouraging large groups of people to gather together.
Staff at other City facilities, including libraries, recreation buildings, and other buildings, are currently preparing for the work necessary to safely reopen to the public, including City of Hillsboro facilities. The next community update will be shared no later than July 1 on the City’s website.
City leaders continue to monitor guidance from Governor Kate Brown and the health experts at the Oregon Health Authority and Washington County Public Health. The continued closures balance the City’s prioritization of the health and well-being of employees and the community at large with City employees’ role as trusted public servants.
Continuing essential services
Essential City services that have continued uninterrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic include:
- Police services
- Fire & Rescue services
- Emergency Operations Center (EOC)
- Drinking water and other utility services
- Public Works and Parks Maintenance services
- Development services (online)
- Capital projects
The City’s website and social media channels remain fully operational to connect the community with City services and important COVID-19 information. City phones continue to be answered and employees continue to work remotely whenever possible.
Actions by the City of Hillsboro in response to the COVID-19 pandemic have included:
- Awarding $1 million in emergency grants to more than 400 small businesses in Hillsboro
- Donating $75,000 to the Hillsboro Community Foundation’s COVID-19 Relief Fund to support local nonprofits
- Partnering to open an emergency shelter for people experiencing homelessness without COVID-19 symptoms
- Launching the Food 2 You food pantry delivery program to help food pantries meet the basic needs of those who are medically fragile or cannot leave home
- Partnering with Washington County to open a respite shelter in Hillsboro
- Closing playgrounds and sport courts to protect public health
- Offering rental assistance for those struggling to pay rent, and a moratorium on evictions during the emergency
Helpful resources
Visit the City’s COVID-19 webpage to see the full timeline of the City’s response, and get more information and resources: