Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Business Center Project topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves demolition and new shell for Umatilla Business Center after contractors uncover structural failures
Summary
After selective demolition revealed unreinforced masonry, hollow CMU walls and failing roof framing, the council approved a change‑order to demolish the existing post‑office shell and build a new shell in its place; staff said contingencies and federal funding arrangements will be used to proceed.
The Umatilla City Council voted to demolish the existing post‑office–era shell at the Umatilla Business Center and replace it with a new structural shell after contractors and the architect reported the old structure failed to meet safety and code expectations.
Why it matters: Councilors and staff framed the decision as a choice between continued, costly reinforcement of a failing 70‑year‑old structure and starting new to get a longer‑lasting facility that meets modern construction and inspection requirements. Staff said the project’s contingency and federal funders were being consulted and that the new shell would preserve the project program and meeting room function required by a linked EDA grant.
What the council approved: City staff and the contractor described multiple, previously unseen problems discovered during selective demolition and excavation: delaminated roof plywood and rolling trusses, hollow concrete masonry unit (CMU) walls with no internal steel or mortar in places, and footings not at frost depth. Jen Pendleton, a project representative for contractor Cliff Thorne Construction (CTC), told council the shell could not be safely “tied into” as planned and recommended full demolition and replacement. Travis McCracken, CTC project superintendent, and Mark Cedar, the project architect, said rebuilding the shell on the same footprint would preserve the approved floor plan and provide a new roof able to support future solar panels.
Kevin, the city building official, reported that excavation revealed there were effectively no proper footings under parts of the exterior walls and that interior CMU walls lacked mortar and steel reinforcement; he estimated repair work to reinforce the existing shell could approach $300,000 beyond the current contract requests and that cumulative change orders might push higher. City staff said the project originally had owner‑contingency and that bids came in lower than earlier estimates, leaving capacity to absorb the recommended change order; staff also reported they had informed the Economic Development Administration (EDA) about the proposed change and sought its concurrence because part of the project is federally funded.
Council debate focused on the discovery process, oversight and timing. Council members asked why the structural issues were not identified earlier during design and permitting; staff and the architect said the building’s unreinforced masonry and hidden conditions made some defects discoverable only after demolition and exposure. The architect noted some benefits to building new, including improved longevity and a properly engineered roof.
Motion and outcome: A council member moved to approve a change order to demolish the existing structure and replace it with an all‑new shell; the motion was seconded and passed by the council. (The motion as read on the record stated the dollar figure for the change order as recorded in the minutes.)
Ending: Staff said demolition will proceed following the change order approval and that the city will continue coordination with the EDA and with contractors to manage cost, inspections and schedule.
