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Courthouse expansion nears completion; county installs 340 kW fairgrounds solar array

Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners ยท January 27, 2026
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Summary

Facilities staff said the courthouse expansion aims for substantial completion March 27, 2026, and the related Fairgrounds Solar Project (about 340 kW) is complete; initial modeling estimates roughly 108% of two buildings' energy needs with an estimated 13-year payback.

Deschutes County facilities staff provided a monthly update on Jan. 26, 2026, reporting steady construction progress on the downtown courthouse expansion and completion of a linked fairgrounds solar installation.

Facilities Director Lee Bridal and project staff said the county has finished the Fairgrounds Solar Project, an approximately 340-kilowatt system divided between the Conference Center buildings (South and Middle Sister) and the North Sister building. Initial energy modeling indicates the system could generate about 108% of those buildings' energy use, allowing excess generation to be exported to the grid. Staff estimated a system payback of about 13 years based on the initial modeling.

On the expansion itself, staff reviewed phased progress: phase 1 renovation areas are complete and phase 2 demolition and construction are underway; interior finishes are beginning, including storefront framing, polished concrete, tile, and casework. Elevator installations are nearly complete, and two new courtrooms are being framed with extensive AV coordination required by state courts.

Schedule and budget

Project managers said the target for substantial completion is March 27, 2026. Systems furniture installation is scheduled to start March 9, with occupant move-in and training for the Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) and Deschutes County Sheriff's Office planned broadly in April. Staff cautioned that some remodel work in the existing building will continue through June and July.

Staff reported cost-to-date of $32,485,803 and said the project is approximately 67% complete. Known in-process change orders total about $325,000 on the county contingency side and about $300,000 on the contractor side, tied to Bond Street improvements, snow-melt systems and other interior revisions; staff said contingencies remain adequate at this time.

What to expect next

Facilities staff said they will continue coordination with the sheriff's office and state courts to finalize the move-in plan and test systems before opening the main public entrance; they also plan a soft opening and then a formal ribbon-cutting once coordination milestones are set.