Skip to main content

Washington County Public Services Building Seismic Retrofit Project

Washington County will soon begin a two-year construction project to ensure that the Charles D. Cameron Public Services Building (PSB) will withstand a major Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. Construction will start in early 2017 and is expected to continue through 2018. Some County services will be temporarily relocated during construction to nearby office space in downtown Hillsboro.
Media release

For Immediate Release: Friday, January 06, 2017

Sponsored by: Support Services Department, Facilities and Parks Services Division

Seismic Retrofit Construction at Washington County Public Services Building

After more than a year of planning, Washington County is gearing up to begin a two-year construction project to ensure that the Charles D. Cameron Public Services Building (PSB) will withstand a major Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake. Construction will begin in early 2017 and is expected to continue through 2018.

The work is necessary to protect life safety and allow for the PSB to serve as a base of operations for countywide response and recovery efforts following a catastrophic earthquake. Previous engineering studies concluded that the building's structural frame and internal systems would fail without the upgrades. In addition to the seismic retrofit, the project also incorporates water mitigation work in the basement and upgrades to critical building systems, including HVAC, lighting and security.

The County has contracted with Portland-based SERA Architects and JE Dunn Construction to assist with design and management of this challenging, multi-phased process. Due to the length and complexity of the undertaking, and the level of disruption that will occur, the project will be divided into two phases. Phase one will focus on the north wing of the building and the south wing will be completed in phase two. During phase one, those departments and services previously located in the north wing of the building will be temporarily relocated into alternate, nearby spaces during construction. The moves will occur in phases as well, according to the approximated schedule listed in the table below.

Phase One
Several county offices will temporarily move out of the north wing of the Public Services Building, including the Board of Commissioners, County Administrative Office, Community Engagement, County Counsel, County Auditor and Assessment and Taxation. The south wing of the building, which houses Health and Human Services, Support Services (including Human Resources and Finance) and Land Use and Transportation, will remain operational and open to the public during phase one. The first floor cafeteria and auditorium are closed during phase one construction. Most weekly meetings of the Washington County Board of Commissioners will be held in the nearby Hillsboro Civic Center. For a complete schedule of Board meetings, including location, go to http://www.co.washington.or.us/BOC/Meetings/board-meeting-schedule.cfm.

Phase Two
When the north wing is complete, most of the remaining occupants of the south wing will then relocate to the finished north wing to allow for phase two of construction. Departments and programs originally housed in the north wing will remain in their relocated space until the project is complete in late 2018.

To obtain additional information, confirm current locations, or to get specific directions, please contact the departments directly or call Washington County Facilities and Parks Services at 503-846-8715. Maps and directional signs will be posted around the downtown Hillsboro campus to help the public find their way.

DEPARTMENT

TEMPORARY
LOCATION

APPROXIMATE DATE

CONTACT NUMBER

Assessment &Taxation (A&T)

  • Appraisal Section
  • Assessment Information
  • Manufactured Structures
  • Marriage Licenses/Domestic Partnership Registration
  • Passports
  • Property Tax Collections
  • Recording/Deed Records


Adams Crossing

161 NW Adams Avenue,
Hillsboro

Early March, 2017

503-846-8741

Board of Commissioners &

County Administrative Office

Public Services Annex

254 N First Avenue,
Hillsboro

Late January, 2017

503-846-8685

Cartography—A&T

Adams Annex

231 W Main Street,
Hillsboro

Early February, 2017

503-846-8871

Community Engagement

Public Services Annex

254 N First Avenue,
Hillsboro

Late January, 2017

503-846-6288

County Auditor

Washington County
Parking Structure

221 S First Avenue,
Hillsboro

Late March, 2017

503-846-8798

County Counsel

Adams Crossing

161 NW Adams Avenue,
Hillsboro

Early March, 2017

503-846-8747


Media Contact:

Julie McCloud, Public & Govt. Affairs Assistant
503-846-8685
[email protected]