What does the Police Department include?
In addition to the men and women who serve as police officers and respond to calls throughout the City of Tigard, the PD also includes detectives, school resource officers, K-9 teams, drone operators, a Mental Health Response Team officer, property & evidence specialists, records management specialists, crime analysis, the traffic safety unit, Community Oriented Policing Officers, a community service officer and more.
What does Public Works include?
The Public Works Department includes a wide range of public services including emergency management, parks and recreation services, street maintenance, drinking water management, storm water / wastewater services, engineering, city fleet / facilities, and more. There are 94 full-time employees and 30 seasonal workers who support these programs and services.
What's the condition of the current facilities?
The current facilities were built more than 40 years ago, in the 1980s. Tigard's population has tripled since then and the need to provide services across our community has grown. Our current facilities do not comply with best practices for security, lack storage space for criminal evidence, have water leaks and do not comply with accessibility requirements.
A 2016 report found that City Hall and the Police Department were in poor condition, requiring about $3.68 million in repairs over 10 years. Public Works was in better shape but still needed $3.13 million in repairs. The estimated cost for all facility repairs has now grown to more than $18.27 million due to rising construction costs.
What are the seismic risks in the current facilities?
There are several considerable seismic issues with our current buildings.
- A 2020 study found that the Public Works building is not properly reinforced and could pose a risk to occupants in an earthquake. Fixing this would cost $1.5 to $2 million, and additional upgrades to ensure immediate usability could exceed $2 million.
- A 2013 study found that the Police Department building does not meet modern earthquake safety standards, meaning it could be severely damaged in a quake and would not function as an essential facility.
- A 2016 seismic assessment indicated that City Hall and the Police Department might be unusable for days or weeks after an earthquake, while the Permit Center could be unusable for months.
Do you already have a building to move into?
No. The City of Tigard purchased undeveloped land on SW Wall Street, off of SW Hunziker Road in spring 2024 for this proposed project. Thorough site work was conducted to ensure the 9.5-acre property would work well for the construction of a proposed new combined police and public works facility.
What would happen with the existing police and public works facilities?
The City is working on a City Facilities System Plan as part of our 2026 Capital Improvement Projects, and we hope to have a range of options identified for public input by summer of 2026. This will guide our decision making over the next 20 years.
If the proposed bond measure passes, what would the average homeowner pay?
The entire project (including land purchase and construction) is expected to cost $150 million. If passed, the estimated tax rate for the proposed bond is $0.765 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
Why is the City not using system development charges or SDCs to fund the new facility?
SDCs, are one-time fees we charge to offset the cost of infrastructure needed to serve new development. SDC is a blanket term used to refer to several fees designed to fund specific infrastructure systems. We charge separate fees dedicated to funding improvements in each of our infrastructure systems. For example, we charge a Parks SDC, which can only be used to fund parks-related infrastructure. This is why we cannot use SDC revenue to fund the proposed new Police and Public Works Facility, there is no SDC that feeds City Facility improvements.
If the proposed bond measure passes, what would be the timeline for the project?
In 2025, we hired an architect and a construction manager/general contractor, and early design work is underway to inform final cost. In May 2026, a vote on the bond will be held. If the bond passes, the City of Tigard would be ready to begin construction within a few months. A groundbreaking would be expected in summer or fall 2026, and our teams could be moving in by mid-2028. If the proposed bond measure does not pass, the City will not begin construction.
How can I learn more about this project?
If you are part of a community or neighborhood group and would like us to come present on this project for you, please let us know by emailing us.
