Inside Bend’s Big Move: Public works finally comes together under one roof
KTVZ
The City of Bend’s Department of Public Works is in the process of moving into a new location that will finally bring all of its operations together on one site.
For years, the department’s offices have been scattered across different areas of Bend. Now, all five of its divisions — Engineering, Transportation and Mobility, Street Services, Water Services, and Fleet Services — will soon be working side by side in a single facility.
The new campus includes several buildings spread out across 35 acres off Talus Place. The move is happening gradually, with small groups of employees beginning to relocate as construction continues.
Public Works Director Mike Buettner said the move will eventually bring more than 200 staff members together at the site.
“We have over 200 staff from those five different departments that will be, eventually moving into this facility,” Buettner said. “Right now, it’s just our IT and our facility staff. In the coming weeks, our transportation and engineering staff move in, then water services, and then our fleet group moves in in late November.”
Although the new campus is not yet open to the public, the department says that won’t affect residents needing city services. Service requests can still be made over the phone or online, and billing operations will continue to run from offices downtown.
City officials hope to open the new Public Works campus to the public sometime early next year.
EARLIER REPORTING:
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — After a decade of planning and two years of construction, five City of Bend departments have just begun a multi-week process of moving to the new $130 million Public Works Campus at Juniper Ridge, on the northern edge of the city.
The funding came in part from sale of the previous public works campus on Boyd Acres Road, as well as Juniper Ridge property sales and planned issuance of long-term debt, to be repaid by the departments over time.
Here’s the city of Bend’s Monday announcement on the move-in details and schedule:
Bend’s Public Works departments (Engineering, Facilities, Fleet, Transportation & Mobility, and Water Services (formerly Utilities) have been dispersed in different locations across Bend, posing challenges to efficient collaboration. Existing buildings are at capacity and at the end of their useful lives.
City staff compared the costs of investing in existing facilities versus building a new one and determined that a new campus would be the best, cost-effective approach. Bringing together these departments will reduce annual maintenance requirements and allow for better coordination and efficiencies.
In 2018, the City began searching for a location that could house the needed departments and associated equipment. In 2021, the Bend City Council approved an area within Juniper Ridge for the new Public Works Campus. The City already owned land there, which saved money by avoiding additional property acquisition. It was also part of a strategy to spur development in the area.
“This move culminates years of planning and includes moving approximately 250 employees and all the vehicles, equipment and materials associated with their work,” said Facilities Architect and Project Manager Jo Wells.
“In line with Council goals around sustainability and reducing the City’s overall carbon footprint, the campus incorporates a number of sustainability strategies. The facility is powered 100% by electricity and will incorporate enough solar power to balance out its power use.”
Groups of employees will be moving in phases through Nov. 17.
Water Services Billing will not be interrupted during this move. Billing offices will remain downtown at 639 NW Franklin Ave. Bend, OR 97703, open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday, and can be reached at 541-388-5515.
While departments are moving, drop-in customers accustomed to visiting Transportation & Mobility and Water Services departments will be unable to visit those offices in-person for a short period of time.
The Transportation and Mobility Department on NE 15th Street will close its doors to walk-in visitors starting Monday, Oct. 13; Water Services on Boyd Acres Road will close its doors to walk-in visitors starting Oct. 27. Staff anticipate being ready to accommodate individual drop-in customers at the front desk of the new Public Works Campus 21051 NE Talus Place by Nov. 10.
During this period of time, walk-in customers seeking information about backflow tests, permits or meter boxes or other questions can visit the billing office at 639 NW Franklin Ave. Bend, OR 97703 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Customers can also always submit questions or reports online through the City’s online service request system: bendoregon.gov/bend-works.
“Thank you for your patience with our services during this phased-in move,” said the City’s new Public Works Director Mike Buettner, formerly the City’s Water Services Director. “I’m excited to see our departments collocate for better coordination and efficiency. This new campus positions us to continue to provide crucial, core public services, including transportation, water services and fleet management well into the future.”
A public Open House will be planned in the spring, in conjunction with Art in Public Places, which has worked with the City on the selection of artists commissioned to create art for the campus. Per City Code, the City of Bend dedicates one percent (1%) of the total eligible costs of improvement projects to public art.