The Vote is In and Beaverton Will Get New Public Safety Center

It took a bit to count all the votes but it's now official - Beaverton will get a new public safety center. Voters approved a bond measure to build a 90,000-square-foot facility that will be built to withstand a major earthquake.

The building, which will be on city-owned property at Southwest Hall Boulevard and Southwest Allen Boulevard, will move police headquarters out of the flood zone, provide private areas for crime victims and minors, and include an Emergency Operations Center with disaster-response equipment.

"This is a tremendous moment for our city, for our police officers and for our emergency responders," said Mayor Denny Doyle. "We’re grateful for the support from our residents."

The city says that the location of the new building also allows for more efficient police and emergency response, and consolidates all police and emergency management services in one location.

"It's important for police to respond to emergency calls for service as quickly and safely as possible," said Interim Police Chief Jim Monger. "Now our police officers will have a safe and central location for the services they provide to residents."

The bond measure will not increase residents’ bond tax rate because it replaces the Beaverton City Library construction bonds. The rate is about 20 cents per $1,000 of assessed value. Property owners will continue to pay about $4.20 per month for property with an assessed value of $250,000. The center will cost $35 million.

The design and permitting phases of the project will begin immediately and are expected to last 12 months. The construction phase of the project is anticipated to last 18 to 24 months. The public safety center is estimated for completion in early-2020.

Illustration City of Beaverton