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Wednesday, January 18, 2023
thechronicleonline.com
Serving Columbia County since 1881
Rising costs force public safety building redesign
Left photo by Jeremy C. Ruark / Country Media. Right photo courtesy from the City of St. Helens.
The photo on the left shows the aging St. Helens Police station. The photo on the right is the original conceptual drawing of what the new public safety facility might look like. WILL LOHRE Country Media, Inc.
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ity officials in St. Helens are reevaluating plans for a new public safety facility to house the St. Helens Police Department. Initially proposed in 2021, the 22,000-square-foot facility was estimated to cost $22 million using the original design. The City hopes to lower that cost to approximately $12.6 million. “The City is currently working with our architectural consultant on a redesign of the building to reduce the project costs,” St. Helens Communication Officer Crystal King said. “Due to numerous factors, including rising inflation, construction supply shortages, and increased cost of construction
goods, the cost of the project has risen dramatically since it was first calculated.” Portland-based architecture and interior design firm Mackenzie is working with the city on the project. In their initial plan, city officials wanted to include “flex space” that the community could use as a municipal court, city council chamber, and community room. With new cost considerations, the redesign will not include that “flex space” to reduce the project’s square footage. Funding the project When the project was proposed in 2021, the City was planning on taking out a loan for more than $20 million that they would pay back over 20 or 30 years. The project
will be funded by “bonds, fees, and other City revenues.” “The bonds act as a loan that the City has to pay back, which will be done through fees and other City revenues,” King said. “The bond funds total $12.6 million. After the project is redesigned, the City hopes to bring the cost of construction as close to $12.6 million as possible.” The city council will consider increasing the public safety fee on utility bills to generate funding, according to King. “The fee is estimated to be between $6 to $9,” she said. “The Council will attempt to keep the fee as low as possible by using other City funds such as tax revenues and Industrial Business Park revenues.” In 2021, city officials estimated
the utility fee to be an added $2 to $4.25 per bill. Once the redesign is complete, city officials will reassess the necessary expenses when the cost is finalized. Aging police station The project seeks to address the issue of the outdated police station that currently houses the St. Helens Police Department, at 150 S 13th Street. The 2,200-square-foot building was constructed in 1971. The new facility will allow for the continued expansion of the St. Helens police force as population and call volume increases. In 2021, the City authorized 19 sworn officers. For 2022, St. Helens is authorizing an increase of three officers for 22 sworn officers. The budget for new personnel
has expanded over the last several years to meet public needs. Construction in the future In March 2022, the City hoped construction could begin in 2024 and be completed in about 14 months. Just when the new facility will be built is still pending due to the rising costs. “We do not have an estimated groundbreaking date at this point,” she said. “We will have a better idea once the building redesign is complete, has been approved by Council, and moves into the permitting phase.” Follow developments at thechronicleonline.com and in the Wednesday print editions of The Chronicle.
City removes beaver dam over safety concerns JEREMY C. RUARK Country Media, Inc.
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Kelli Nicholson / Country Media, Inc.
The area of the beaver dam at McCormick Park that has been removed by the city.
t is natural for beavers to construct dams at local waterways but one such dam has been removed by the City of St. Helens due to flooding and safety concerns. “Yes, the City of St. Helens recently removed a beaver dam from McCormick Park,” St. Helens Communications Officer Crystal King told The Chronicle. “The dam was located close to the pedestrian bridge that spans Milton Creek. This bridge provides connection from the main playground and parking lot area of McCormick Park to additional walking trails and disc golf holes
on the opposite side of the creek.” King said the location of the beaver dam created two concerns if it was left in place: 1. Higher-than-usual flood damage to the main trail and surrounding areas of the park. 2. Significant damage to the structural integrity of the pedestrian bridge. The City consulted with a state trapper who came to the park in the hopes of trapping the beaver. After examining the location of the dam, the trapper determined that trapping the beaver was not an option because the dam was in an area heavily trafficked by dogs and small children which created a safety risk,” according to King.
“It was recommended that the City remove the dam,” King said. “This would encourage the beaver to move to a different area of the creek where a dam would not pose the same safety or flood damage concerns. In the process of dislodging the dam, the machinery used entered the creek.” Machinery should not be operated in a creek and the City is taking steps to mitigate possible damage, according to King, who added that the City reached out to Scappoose Bay Watershed Council after the dam was removed for recommendations and assistance in restoring any damage to the
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$3M for small businesses affected by COVID-19 STAFF REPORT Country Media, Inc.
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usinesses in Columbia County and across the state affected by the COVID-19 pandemic have an opportunity to access $3 million in federal assistant grants. Business Oregon has partnered with the CCD Business Development Corporation to offer the $3 million in CDBG-CV Statewide Small Business and Microenterprise Grant Assistance (SBMA).
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Vol. 141, No. 3
The program is funded with federal grant funds from the Oregon Community Development Block Grant program CARES Act funding for communities affected by COVID-19. SBMA grants will be awarded between $2,500 - $30,000 per business. Microenterprises whose owner meets who meet low- and moderate-income (LMI) criteria can qualify for up to $10,000 in grant funding. Small businesses can qualify for $2,500 per LMI employee retained up to $30,000 in funding. Eligibility requirements A microenterprise (five or fewer employees) or small business (more than five employees) that:
• Was in business prior to March 8, 2019 • Can document COVID-19 impact (lost revenue, mandated closures, workforce issues, supply complications, etc.) • Was generally stable/strong prior to the COVID-19 pandemic • Has an owner and/or employees who meet low- and moderateincome (LMI) criteria Limited time The program will launch 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 23, and will close at 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27. Applications for this grant program will be processed on a lottery basis. At the time of ap-
Metro Creative Connection
The program will launch 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 23, and will close at 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27. Applications for this grant program will be processed on a lottery basis.
plication closure, all submitted applications will be randomized and processed. To register and apply, visit www.ccdbusiness.org/ oregonsbma. Technical assistance is available to assist with completing the application process. You may use Google Translate on the application registration and program webpages for non-English languages or please contact CCD
Business Development Corporation at 1-888-263-0971 or oregonsbma@ccdbusiness.com for additional assistance. Video tutorials for both small business and microenterprise applications, including helpful tips, are also available. The link to the YouTube playlist for the video tutorials can be found at on the CCD’s website. Business Oregon, in partnership with CCD Business Devel-
opment Corporation, hosted two virtual Q&A meetings about this grant opportunity on Friday, January 13 at 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. The SBMA grant award selections are expected in February 2023 and the funding is expected to be distributed to selected grantees in March 2023. For more information, visit www.oregon.gov/biz.