West Linn Operations Complex

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Building Footprint and Site Layout

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 SiteAerial 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/


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 SiteAerial 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/


  • 4/13 Press Release

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    -- For immediate release -- Residents may have heard confusing information about the City’s new Operations Complex along Salamo Road. The City Manager and the City’s Public Works Director want to communicate important information regarding the site and project to provide residents clarity. City staff have and will continue to work closely with the project team that includes Skanska, Scott Edwards Architecture, HHPR, Coffman Excavation, and Klosh Group to develop this project. The design and plans for the Operations Center mark a yearslong effort to construct a safe, efficient, and enduring facility to better serve the needs of the City Water, Streets, Environmental Services, Fleet Maintenance, and Parks Maintenance Divisions.

    Project History:

    In 2017, West Linn’s Public Works Director reached out to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT)’s Region 1 Policy and Development Manager regarding the possibility of ODOT selling the Salamo Road property to be used as a City Operations Facility. The City purchased the property in the summer of 2021, and as part of the due diligence of purchasing the property, the City contracted a professional geotechnical engineer, Najib Kalas, to review prior studies of the site and analyze the feasibility of building a new Operations Complex. The principal geotechnical engineer for this project, Najib Kalas, has over 23 years of experience in geotechnical engineering and is a licensed professional engineer.

    Geotechnical Studies Confirm the Site is Safe to Build:

    As part of the scope of work, Mr. Kalas and his team thoroughly reviewed geotechnical studies of the site from 1969, 2010, and 2013, and a memo from ODOT on the site from 1991. The geotechnical team then conducted their own field investigations in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 to evaluate site conditions. The team took all of this information and used it to develop the design of the Operations Center in a manner that would intend to function during and after a seismic event, or other emergencies. To be abundantly clear, the Salamo-site has had repeated in-depth geotechnical studies, including both field and laboratory testing of the site and its materials by professional geotechnical engineers, to ensure that it is a safe site to locate the new Operations Center.

    In particular, the Geotechnical Summary Letter, Operations Center Salamo Road and Greene Street, dated February 12, 2026 from a state-licensed geotechnical engineer, explains: “In summary, the project does not rely on potentially unstable soils for foundation support [emphasis added]. The major structures are founded on structural fill and rock, the historic landslide materials were previously removed, the new access roadway provides additional stabilization at the toe of the slope, and the remaining hillside will not be disturbed. Based on the investigation and analyses performed, the site is considered suitable for the proposed development [emphasis added]".

    The geotechnical engineer, Najib Kalas will continue to provide support and expert guidance to the Public Works Department during construction.

    Historical Context:

    In 1969, during the construction of I-205, over-excavation and blasting triggered a man-made slide on the site. The slide caused damage to three houses on the site and a reservoir. The houses and reservoir were later demolished as part of adjusting the slope and stabilizing the impacted area. Following the slide a new reservoir, still visible on the side of Salamo Road, replaced the damaged reservoir in 1972.

    Importantly, the February 12, 2026 letter from the geotechnical engineer notes: “Following the event, the State performed major corrective work. The landslide debris materials were reportedly excavated and removed across the site area, the ground surface was lowered significantly, and large engineered embankments were constructed to stabilize the hillside. The hillside visible today is therefore not the same slope that failed in the 1960s, it is a reconstructed and stabilized landform that has remained stable for decades [emphasis added].”

    Residents may have seen a map which places the site in a hazard zone for landslides. This map includes a disclaimer, which comes from the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI), which notes that site-specific data can differ from the maps, and their maps are for informational purposes, not engineering (see attached image or visit https://gis.dogami.oregon.gov/maps/hazvu/).

    The City Public Works Department wants to reiterate that the safety and livability of West Linn is our top priority for residents, and we have taken a significant steps to ensure that our decision to build at the Salamo site is in the best interests of residents, including hiring the relevant licensed experts to access the site and guide our decision-making over the course of this project.

    Learn More: To date there have been over fifteen public meetings regarding this project with more to come. To learn more about the project’s history and get answers to frequently asked questions visit the project page: https://yourwestlinn.com/wloc

    -- For immediate release -- Residents may have heard confusing information about the City’s new Operations Complex along Salamo Road. The City Manager and the City’s Public Works Director want to communicate important information regarding the site and project to provide residents clarity. City staff have and will continue to work closely with the project team that includes Skanska, Scott Edwards Architecture, HHPR, Coffman Excavation, and Klosh Group to develop this project. The design and plans for the Operations Center mark a yearslong effort to construct a safe, efficient, and enduring facility to better serve the needs of the City Water, Streets, Environmental Services, Fleet Maintenance, and Parks Maintenance Divisions.

    Project History:

    In 2017, West Linn’s Public Works Director reached out to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT)’s Region 1 Policy and Development Manager regarding the possibility of ODOT selling the Salamo Road property to be used as a City Operations Facility. The City purchased the property in the summer of 2021, and as part of the due diligence of purchasing the property, the City contracted a professional geotechnical engineer, Najib Kalas, to review prior studies of the site and analyze the feasibility of building a new Operations Complex. The principal geotechnical engineer for this project, Najib Kalas, has over 23 years of experience in geotechnical engineering and is a licensed professional engineer.

    Geotechnical Studies Confirm the Site is Safe to Build:

    As part of the scope of work, Mr. Kalas and his team thoroughly reviewed geotechnical studies of the site from 1969, 2010, and 2013, and a memo from ODOT on the site from 1991. The geotechnical team then conducted their own field investigations in 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 to evaluate site conditions. The team took all of this information and used it to develop the design of the Operations Center in a manner that would intend to function during and after a seismic event, or other emergencies. To be abundantly clear, the Salamo-site has had repeated in-depth geotechnical studies, including both field and laboratory testing of the site and its materials by professional geotechnical engineers, to ensure that it is a safe site to locate the new Operations Center.

    In particular, the Geotechnical Summary Letter, Operations Center Salamo Road and Greene Street, dated February 12, 2026 from a state-licensed geotechnical engineer, explains: “In summary, the project does not rely on potentially unstable soils for foundation support [emphasis added]. The major structures are founded on structural fill and rock, the historic landslide materials were previously removed, the new access roadway provides additional stabilization at the toe of the slope, and the remaining hillside will not be disturbed. Based on the investigation and analyses performed, the site is considered suitable for the proposed development [emphasis added]".

    The geotechnical engineer, Najib Kalas will continue to provide support and expert guidance to the Public Works Department during construction.

    Historical Context:

    In 1969, during the construction of I-205, over-excavation and blasting triggered a man-made slide on the site. The slide caused damage to three houses on the site and a reservoir. The houses and reservoir were later demolished as part of adjusting the slope and stabilizing the impacted area. Following the slide a new reservoir, still visible on the side of Salamo Road, replaced the damaged reservoir in 1972.

    Importantly, the February 12, 2026 letter from the geotechnical engineer notes: “Following the event, the State performed major corrective work. The landslide debris materials were reportedly excavated and removed across the site area, the ground surface was lowered significantly, and large engineered embankments were constructed to stabilize the hillside. The hillside visible today is therefore not the same slope that failed in the 1960s, it is a reconstructed and stabilized landform that has remained stable for decades [emphasis added].”

    Residents may have seen a map which places the site in a hazard zone for landslides. This map includes a disclaimer, which comes from the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI), which notes that site-specific data can differ from the maps, and their maps are for informational purposes, not engineering (see attached image or visit https://gis.dogami.oregon.gov/maps/hazvu/).

    The City Public Works Department wants to reiterate that the safety and livability of West Linn is our top priority for residents, and we have taken a significant steps to ensure that our decision to build at the Salamo site is in the best interests of residents, including hiring the relevant licensed experts to access the site and guide our decision-making over the course of this project.

    Learn More: To date there have been over fifteen public meetings regarding this project with more to come. To learn more about the project’s history and get answers to frequently asked questions visit the project page: https://yourwestlinn.com/wloc

  • Questions Raised During Planning Commission Meetings

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    During testimony to the Planning Commission, residents raised questions on issues such as traffic, construction parking, site selection, and site stability and environmental protection. To help address these concerns and how they relate to the City's Code, the project team and planning staff put together the presentation and memo linked below.

    Presentation to Planning Commission: Here

    Staff Supplemental Findings Memo: Here

    During testimony to the Planning Commission, residents raised questions on issues such as traffic, construction parking, site selection, and site stability and environmental protection. To help address these concerns and how they relate to the City's Code, the project team and planning staff put together the presentation and memo linked below.

    Presentation to Planning Commission: Here

    Staff Supplemental Findings Memo: Here

  • 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

    Planning Commission meeting continuance February 18th, 2026 Meeting Agenda

    Planning Commission deliberation The Planning Commission closed the public hearing on February 18, 2026, and voted to leave the written record open for all parties for 7 days, or until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, and for the applicant to make a final written legal argument by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. The Planning Commission then conduct deliberations on the application at a hybrid public meeting on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 6:00pm. 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.

    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

    Planning Commission meeting continuance February 18th, 2026 Meeting Agenda

    Planning Commission deliberation The Planning Commission closed the public hearing on February 18, 2026, and voted to leave the written record open for all parties for 7 days, or until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, and for the applicant to make a final written legal argument by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. The Planning Commission then conduct deliberations on the application at a hybrid public meeting on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 6:00pm. 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.

  • 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.


    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.


Page last updated: 15 Apr 2026, 09:37 AM