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Next phase: Bidding open for Silverton Civic Center project

By James Day

Concept art for the City of Silverton’s new civic center.

The City of Silverton has opened the bidding process for the construction of its new civic center.

Bidding opened Dec. 21, with the deadline for bids Feb. 23. Community Development Director Jason Gottgetreu, the lead city staffer on the project, said that the City Council is scheduled to review the bids at its March 7 meeting.

Construction could begin as soon as April on the $19 million project, which will include a two-story civic center/police building as well as parking, a park and a plaza. 

A two-story building will be erected at the north end of the property, which backs up to A Street between North Water and North First. A park is planned for the south end of the property that abuts Park Street. A plaza and parking are scheduled to be constructed between the building and the park area. 

Construction on the 2.7-acre site of the former Eugene Field School is expected to conclude in July of 2023, Gottgetreu said. The project is being designed by the Mackenzie architecture and design firm of Portland.

City staff and the police currently are housed a few blocks away on South Water Street in a building that is not seismically safe.

There are two large trees at the northwest corner of the lot, where A Street meets Water Street. The Douglas fir, which was damaged in last year’s ice storm, will be removed, but the sequoia will remain in place. 

The city plans to borrow $10 million to $12 million to pay for the project, with existing city resources expected to pay for the debt service.

The city also owns the 3/4-acre parcel north of A Street, which is largely used as a dog exercise area. No plans have been established for the site, Gottgetreu said.