TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Krishna Namburi, Interim City Manager
FROM: Brian Martin D. Martin, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
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Summary of recent progress on the Salem Civic Center Improvement project.
Ward(s): All Wards
Councilor(s): All Councilors
Neighborhood(s): All Neighborhoods
Result Area(s): Safe, Reliable and Efficient Infrastructure; Strong and Diverse Economy; Welcoming and Livable Community.
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SUMMARY:
summary
In November 2022, voters approved the Salem Safety and Livability Bond, which included $39.4 million for seismic retrofit, system improvements, and accessibility upgrades to the Salem Civic Center. Design efforts began in 2023 and construction is set to begin in July 2025. Civic Center services and staff will be temporarily relocated during construction so that improvements can occur within the next 18 to 24 months as seamlessly as possible.
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ISSUE:
Inform City Council and provide a progress report on the Salem Civic Center Improvement project.
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Information only.
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FACTS AND FINDINGS:
Voters approved the Salem Safety and Livability Bond in November 2022, setting in motion a ten-year plan for $300 million in infrastructure investment in Salem. As part of the community conversation about the measure, voters were assured the City would establish a committee to provide oversight and accountability about spending proposed in the measure.
Salem’s Bond Oversight Committee meets regularly and currently includes Mayor Julie Hoy, Councilors Brown and Nishioka, community members Bob Cortright, and Mike Herron. Councilor Tigan serves as an alternate. Mayor Julie Hoy and Councilors Brown, and Tigan were assigned to the Committee in 2025. They replaced Councilors no longer in office or serving on other committees. Due to the complexity of the project and the constraints of its budget, staff began discussing design elements with the Oversight Committee early in 2024. The Oversight Committee has been instrumental in prioritizing design elements for inclusion in the project.
Civic Center Design-Build. In January 2024, City Council approved design-build as the contracting method for this project. This alternative delivery method is an effective way to deliver projects in a streamlined process that allows for cost controls and reduced owners risk. The design-build team of Howard S. Wright Construction (HSW), Hacker Architects, CBTwo Architects, and KPFF structural engineers have been working collaboratively with staff on the design. To match the goals of the project to funding limitations, the team has engaged in an iterative design process guided by the following project values of the Civic Center:
• Resilient, Safe, Sustainable
• Inviting and Accessible for the Public
• A 21st Century Workspace
In addition to these principles, careful consideration was given to the improvements that can be delivered now, taking advantage of the opportunities an empty building presents. Delaying some enhancements - like replacement of aged paper-board ducts above ceiling tiles that will already be removed to add building code-required fire sprinklers - would prove more difficult, disruptive, and costly at a future date.
The design-build process allows for periodic comparison of cost against the evolving design with opportunities to consider alternative designs and cost estimates for elements that are considered a high priority. The alternatives and their cost impact can be weighed against the project goals and degree of disturbance in real time through the design process. Ultimately, in consultation with the Oversight Committee, priorities to include with the project are:
Exterior Improvements
• Seismic upgrades
• New roofing
• New skylight and atrium
• Site and building accessibility
Interior Improvements
• Fire sprinklers
• Mechanical system updates
• New domestic water pipe
• Interior space “refresh” to include new paint, flooring, ceilings, lighting, and work spaces.
• Accessibility upgrades to restrooms on level 2 and 3
Additionally, to reduce cost of the project, the Oversight Committee sought to work within the interior building footprint and minimize interior wall disturbance (retaining existing walls and not adding new interior walls). Another important Oversight Committee decision was to commit funding to improve safety, efficiency, effectiveness, accessibility, and flexibility of Council Chambers.
Temporary Relocation. Civic Center services and staff will relocate during the construction project. Beginning on June 9, 2025, Community Planning and Development, the Permit Application Center, Finance, City Manager’s Office, and a portion of the Customer Service Staff will be available at the Parkway Building at 440 Church Street SE. Similarly, beginning on July 14, 2025, a portion of the Municipal Court services will be available at 2850 Broadway Street NE. The remaining Customer Service staff and full Municipal Court will be functional on July 21, 2025. Public Works staff currently working from Civic will temporarily be relocated to the Public Works Operations building. Finally, Council meetings will be held in Loucks Auditorium beginning on June 9, 2025.
Currently, HSW is anticipating construction to begin on July 21, 2025, and are forecasting a construction duration between 18 and 20 months.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Salem’s Safety and Livability bond program will continue over a ten-year period. Bond program information is available on the City website at <https://www.cityofsalem.net/government/shaping-salem-s-future/safety-and-livability-bond>. In addition to fire trucks and equipment, the bond includes investments in Salem’s streets, sidewalks, parks, two fire stations, affordable housing, purchase of sites for affordable housing and branch libraries, cybersecurity for City operations, and Civic Center seismic improvements. Because payments for existing bonds are decreasing in the future, the City can fund the Safety and Livability bond program while keeping Salem's bonded tax levy rate at or below the 2022 rate of approximately $1.20/$1,000 of assessed value.
Allen Dannen, PE
City Engineer
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