Corvallis city officials are hoping to build a new Civic Campus that includes a freshly built city hall and offices, municipal courthouse, and new police station. The project’s price tag is about $200 million. And on Tuesday, the City announced they had hired a company to help them figure out how to pay for it.
In our fair burgh, area electeds usually ask voters to tax themselves to pay for these projects. Voters said yes to replacing and refurbishing schools in 2018. But five years later, in 2023, the electorate was a hard no for a jail bond.
In general, bond measures like these may be starting to be less acceptable to Corvallis voters – and the property taxes they impose can impact people of lesser means disproportionately.
New consultant, new feasibility study: Now, city officials are launching what they call a comprehensive funding feasibility study. Also, they’ve taken to identifying the police station as a separate project. As a practical matter, the police station and civic center will have their own constituencies and possibly differing funding mechanisms.
“Over the next several months, City financial planners will conduct an in-depth analysis of financing and funding mechanisms that could support upgrades or new development of key City facilities. The focus will include a potential new police building and a multi-purpose civic campus,” said a release from the City of Corvallis.
Clearwater’s involvement: Clearwater Financial is an Idaho-based firm. City officials say they specialize in municipal project planning, and that they will assist them as they seek a path forward to fund the campus and police station.
The current contract will pay Clearwater $45,000 according to City spokesperson Patrick Rollens.
When asked if the City of Corvallis would consider borrowing for the project instead of putting the question to voters, and if Clearwater sometimes helps municipalities seeking such loans, Rollens answered yes.
More generally, a release from the City said, “The analysis will evaluate various funding tools — including bonds, grants, and other financial instruments — and consider how those tools align with the Council’s guiding principles of affordability and equity impacts. Public outreach and stakeholder engagement will be key components of the project, with future opportunities for community input, such as public meetings and online questionnaires, as the City moves forward.”
Project Open House: The community is invited to learn more about this financial feasibility study at a virtual open house scheduled for 6 pm, Wednesday, June 25 via Zoom. The event will be hosted by the City.
The feasibility study is expected to conclude this fall, with findings and recommendations presented to the City Council later this year. The City says all final reports and supporting materials will be made publicly available on their website.
For more information, visit www.corvallisoregon.gov or contact the Finance Department at finance@corvallisoregon.gov.
Downtown Corvallis Organization Scores Main Street Win
Unrelated, the Corvallis Downtown Organization, or DCO, announced it has been awarded a $324,779 Oregon Main Street Revitalization Grant to help rehabilitate the old J.C. Penny building. Now known as The Plaza, Starbucks remains its chief anchor tenant.
According to DCO, the revitalization project is led by local developers Lee Eckroth and Tony Pappas. They purchased the 23,000 sq foot building after its past owner, Hugh White, died. DCO says the developer’s plan for the building includes five new restaurants, twenty-two retail and creative spaces, and twelve offices. The basement level is being envisioned as a Creative Collective for artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs.
About the Downtown Corvallis Organization: They are a 501c3 nonprofit Main Street organization whose mission is to preserve and promote the economic and cultural vitality of downtown Corvallis.
Upcoming Blood Drives
Blood has a shelf life of 42 days, which means ongoing donations are key to ensure medical needs are met. Type O blood donors and those giving platelets are especially needed as the summer season continues.
We at The Advocate hope you will visit RedCrossBlood.org, or call 1-800-RED CROSS or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App to book a time to donate. Those who come to give between now and June 30, 2025, will get a $15 Amazon.com Gift Card by email and will be automatically entered for a chance to win one of two $7,000 gift cards. Terms apply. Visit RedCrossBlood.org/June.
Corvallis’s upcoming blood drives:
6/17/2025: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Church of the Good Samaritan, 333 NW 35th St
6/17/2025: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., NV5 Geospatial, 1100 NE Circle Blvd
6/18/2025: 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., Market of Choice Corvallis, 922 NW Circle Blvd. #110
6/18/2025: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., NW Hills Community Church, 3300 NW Walnut Blvd
6/19/2025: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., First Baptist Church of Corvallis, 125 NW 10th St.
6/23/2025: 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Suburban Christian Church, 2760 SW 53rd St.
6/25/2025: 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., C3 Corvallis Community Center, 2601 NW Tyler Ave.
6/28/2025: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Timberhill Shopping Center, 2335 NW Kings Blvd
By the way, June 14 is World Blood Donor Day, and June 19 is World Sickle Cell Day. Join the Red Cross in celebrating the spirit of humanity by giving blood or platelets.
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