West Linn Operations Complex
A new Operations Complex for the City of West Linn is a long-term investment in vital services which make West Linn a great place to live. The new buildings will meet the modern needs of the City and its residents. The existing City shops were built in the 1940s to serve a population of 3,000 residents and have reached the end of their useable lifespan. The new facility is further away from residences and is more appropriately sized for operations. It provides consolidated storage, shops, and offices in one location to fit the City’s needs now and in the future. The facility will house the City’s Public Works Department (Water, Environmental Services, Streets), Parks Maintenance, Facilities Maintenance, and Fleet Maintenance.
The New Facility:
The Salamo Road property spans nearly 30 acres with the new Operations Complex and yards being developed on a little over 7 acres. The design makes use of the natural topography to minimize the visual impact of the buildings when viewing from above. The yard will provide ample storage for materials and space for trucks to safely maneuver while minimizing backing to improve safety. The shops will give storage and workspaces for crews repairing vital infrastructure. An improved Fleet Maintenance shop will ensure emergency equipment such as police cruisers and snowplows are always ready to respond.
The Complex will have two main buildings; one with stacked offices over workshops and a second bank of workshops and storage bays. Then, a paved space with bulk storage, truck washout, and fueling area. Located down a hill and next to the highway, these facilities are further removed from the residential neighborhood the current facility sits within.
The new buildings will be seismically safe and prepared to function for extended periods in the event of an emergency. In addition to redundancy for emergencies, the design integrates efficiency throughout to reduce energy needs and lower day-to-day operating costs. 
Aerial View of Site
Project Cost and Funding:
City Council has voted to secure Full Faith and Credit Obligation funding in the amount of $45 Million to be paid through long-term debt service of the applicable operation funds: Streets, Storm, Sewer, Water, and Parks (General Fund). Through utilizing a value engineering approach the City along with its contractors Scott Edwards Architecture, Klosh Group, and Skanska was able to identify $12.2 million dollars in potential savings from the initial construction estimate. The $45 million dollar budget includes all aspects of the project including land use, final design and development of construction documents, building permits, and furnishing.
Streets, Storm, and Sewer funds are able to fund their debt service for this project and maintain funding for all projects in their 5-year Capital Improvement Plans. The Water fund has delayed a planned water main replacement project for FY 2026, to ensure funding for this project and the water line replacement on the I-205 Abernathy Bridge. These funds will cover over 80% of the project cost in an equitable manner related to their capacities and needs for the facility. The Parks fund's contribution comes from the City's General Fund and may include an adjustment of the Parks Maintenance Fee (PMF) to meet the General Fund's obligation and ongoing maintenance costs not covered by the current fee. Presentations on the facility's funding plan can be found in the Key Dates section of this webpage. To learn more about the PMF visit: Parks Maintenance Fee
The current Operations Facility on Norfolk will be decommissioned and sold to help fund the construction of the new Complex.
Project Partners:
Architect: Scott Edwards Architecture https://www.seallp.com/
Owners Representative: Klosh Group https://www.kloshgroup.com/
General Contractor: Skanska https://www.skanska.com/
- Excavation subcontractor for Skanska: Coffman Excavation https://www.coffmanexcavation.com/
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What has been done to reduce the cost of the project?
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After bringing Skanska on as the General Contractor, the City undertook a multi-week comprehensive value engineering exercise. Working with City’s architecture consultant Scott Edwards Architects (SEA), and Klosh Group (City’s Owner Representative) the team was able to review the needs of the project while identifying ways reduce costs. Value engineering is not just about cutting costs, but identifying changes in the design and construction process that deliver the best product in the most efficient way. The team was able to identify changes to materials, construction methods, and design adjustments which still provided an excellent facility at a lower cost. Update to Council
The exercise ultimately led to the relocation of the Administration Building to sit above Fleet Maintenance, removal of a retaining wall, and removal of two bays from the Warehouse Building. By adjusting the facilities' footprint and limiting the earthwork, this not only reduces costs of building materials, but time, which is a massive cost in construction, especially when considering winterization of a construction site of this scale. The value engineering exercise was able to identify $12.2 million dollars in potential savings from the initial construction estimate.
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Project Construction Updates
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The project is currently under review for a Conditional Use Permit and more information can be found here: Conditional Use Permit Page
Planning Commission meeting February 4th, 2026 Meeting Agenda
Construction is expected to begin in late Spring 2026. Regular updates will be posted on this site including time-lapse videos of the construction.
The property was acquired for ODOT in July of 2021. Scott Edwards Architecture began preliminary design in February of 2023 moving into final design in August of 2024. The City pursued a Construction Management/ General Contractor (CM/GC) procurement process to streamline the construction design and ultimate construction of the facility by incorporating General Contractor early in the process. Skanska was awarded the GM/GC contract in June of 2025. A full list of City Council updates and presentations can be found on the Key Dates section of this webpage.
Current Building
Current Operations Facilities:
4100 Norfolk is a two-acre property situated in a residential neighborhood with a collection of unheated sheds, shops, lean-tos, and one office building. There is not sufficient storage for equipment or materials and most of it remains outside year-round. Without heated storage, crews must winterize equipment following each use in the winter to prevent damage. Without adequate bulk goods storages areas, crews have to store materials at other sites around the City, reducing efficiency and tying up staff during repairs. Overcrowding of parking areas poses a safety risk, as staff have to maneuver large equipment in tight spaces close to others.
In the office, crews share desks and do not have a dedicated space for training, which are essential for maintaining certifications. The building’s HVAC systems need replacement along with other electrical and plumbing needs.
Once crews have moved to the new facility, the Norfolk property will be decommissioned and sold to offset the costs of the new building.
Photos
Videos
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Ever wonder about the mystery left turn to nowhere on Salamo Road? City Manager John Williams offers answers and surprising facts about the City’s old Operations facility and shares plans for an updated one. (Spoiler: yes, it really is 90 years old!)
Who's Listening
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Public Works Coordinator
