City Officials and Commission Cut Ribbon

Oregon City’s Engineering and Operations Complex is now open to the public after an open house and ribbon cutting event held January 12, 2022, for the City’s newest facility located at 13895 Fir Street, Oregon City. 

The Public was invited to take tours of the facility which houses Public Works Engineering, Public Works Operations, Geographic Information Systems, Facility Maintenance, and Parks Maintenance Division in one multipurpose site. 

The $12.8 million construction project redeveloped a 4.7-acre plot with a 53,000 square foot warehouse and 26,000 square foot office. Renovation of the facility includes seismic reinforcement due to the nature of the work; this facility is considered essential as it houses emergency response personnel.

“This City Commission has been courageous with its Public Facility goals and this project is just one example,” said John Lewis, Oregon City Public Works Director. “It has taken many years and a lot of saving to help support this new facility. We are grateful for many past decisions and budget allocations setting aside annual contributions so that the City could eventually fund this project.”

Brandon Dole, Scott Edwards Architecture Project Manager, said, “The site is dramatically different, considering we kept the structure intact. We are proud the project took the route of reusing the space with modifications to updates to fit the needs of Public Works now and in the future.” 

Modifications to the office building included provisions for reception areas, customer service counter, training room, conference room, enclosed offices, open workspaces, storage, and break room. The facility dedicates more than 8,500 square feet for a fleet workshop, vehicle washdown area, and indoor storage for material and equipment. 

Equipment involved with the construction, maintenance, and operation of the City’s transportation network, sanitary sewer and storm water systems, and parks maintenance will have much needed dry storage. The lot includes fuel storage with pumps, and all existing warehouse facilities are equipped with heat and fire suppression.

“When Emerick first learned of this project, we were excited for the opportunity to be part of a project of this significance in Oregon City because of the impact it was going to have for the community,” said Jordon Fell, Emerick Construction Company’s Director of Special Projects. “Issues are inherent to every construction project, but this one was extra challenging and unpredictable. You had to navigate through construction while dealing with Covid, wildfires, ice storms, and supply chain issues. Through all of this, we were still able to deliver this project on time and that’s not a small feat.”

“It was an honor to manage this project and work side-by-side with Oregon City,” said Samra Egger, a Project Manager with PlanB Consultancy. “From the very beginning, there was a clear vision, and watching that vision come to life was a pleasure.”

“I am very proud that we’ve made this investment without going to the public for a bond or taking on debt. The investment is from utility and parks funding saved for many years though the fiscal management of our Public Works Department,” said Oregon City Mayor, Rachel Lyles Smith. “We appreciate the heavy demands of our City staff. In times of an ice-storm, snow-storm, fire, and many other natural disasters, it should put our minds at ease knowing that this site will help make response and coordination to our residents more efficient and coordinated.”

The Oregon City Commission approved the $7.1 million purchase of former General Distributing, Inc. property located at 13895 Fir Street at the April 18, 2019, City Commission Meeting. After Commission approval, the site underwent environmental, structural, and mechanical inspection as due diligence. The project broke ground on September 29, 2020.


**Staff continue to offer services virtually and masks are required inside all City facilities