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Hermiston selects Carnegie building as focus for Civic Leadership Academy cohort
Summary
The council chose the Carnegie Building reuse as the topic for the Portland State–facilitated Civic Leadership Academy cohort; staff will recruit participants and provide background to ensure the cohort can produce actionable community engagement and reuse recommendations.
Hermiston — The City Council voted Jan. 13 to direct the Hermiston Civic Leadership Academy’s next cohort to study community uses and engagement strategies for the historic Carnegie Building in downtown Hermiston.
Why it matters: The Carnegie Building is a landmark downtown property that the city anticipates vacating when library services move back into the main library building. Choosing the site as the Academy’s focus gives the cohort an opportunity to recommend reuse scenarios, stakeholder engagement and potential funding or partnerships.
What council approved and why
City Manager Kevin Smith recommended the Carnegie topic to the council from three options (Carnegie reuse, volunteer program review, and neighborhood-watch alternatives). Smith said the city anticipates vacating the Carnegie Building in the fall when the library relocates and that public engagement should follow the move. Portland State University will provide curriculum and facilitation; the Ford Family Foundation provides partial funding for the two‑year program.
Council members said the Carnegie topic fits the program’s scope and provides a defined project the cohort can deliver. Councilor Roberts and others noted the building’s local history and visibility in downtown and supported the selection.
Next steps
Staff will open applications for 10–12 participants and provide the cohort background materials, including prior ideas and constraints the council has considered. Smith said staff will try to increase city staff involvement late in the program so participants help shape final recommendations.
Public participation: Staff expects outreach and a spring public-engagement period tied to the cohort’s schedule.
