The Tigard City Council has approved a contract with Otak, Inc., to serve as the Project Director for the "Building a Better Tigard" initiative. This project focuses on designing and constructing a modern, resilient facility to house Tigard’s Police and Public Works departments. The new facility will replace outdated, overcrowded, and scattered locations that currently house essential personnel and equipment. By centralizing operations, the facility will improve efficiency, ensure reliable access to critical resources, and maintain vital services during emergencies, including natural disasters.

The new facility will be built on a recently acquired 9.5-acre property at 13225 SW Wall Street. This centralized location will bring together nine aging and decentralized worksites, addressing long-standing operational challenges while preparing Tigard for future growth and community needs.

This move is strategically designed to:

• Enhance Efficiency: Streamline operations for Police and Public Works Departments.
• Ensure Safety: Provide seismically resilient buildings capable of withstanding disasters.
• Reduce Costs: Lower maintenance and rental expenses tied to outdated infrastructure.
• Improve Services: Meet the needs of the city’s growing population with reliable service delivery.

The Need for Modern Facilities

Tigard’s Police Department, built in 1984 for a population of 22,000, now struggles to accommodate nearly 100 employees serving a city of almost 60,000. Temporary modular buildings from 1994, intended as a short-term solution, remain in use 30 years later. Similarly, Tigard’s Public Works Department operates with staff and equipment spread across multiple sites, lacking adequate space to store essential materials like road salt and equipment for maintaining roads and pipes.

Otak’s Proven Expertise

Otak, Inc. brings extensive experience in managing large-scale public projects, including:

• Lake Oswego City Hall and Police Station: A four-story office building with secure parking, completed in 2021.
• St. Helens Public Safety Building: A facility intended to both enhance emergency preparedness and improve ADA accessibility in their public safety building.
• Salem-Keizer School District Projects: Management of an $875+ million bond-funded program that upgraded 31 schools with seismic and safety improvements.
• State of Oregon’s Department of Administrative Services Executive Building, Salem: A seismic renovation of a 63,000-square-foot facility, featuring hybrid workspaces and sustainable upgrades.

Dave Lintz from Otak, who will lead Tigard’s project, brings a history of success in managing complex construction projects and will play a crucial role in guiding the project through every phase of development.

Next Steps

With the contract approved, the project team will now focus on securing architectural and engineering support to guide the facility’s design. Throughout this phase, the City will actively engage the public to ensure the facility aligns with community needs. Updates will be shared on the City of Tigard’s website, social media, and newsletters.