HILLSBORO, Ore. — Construction is underway on the new $31 million Hillsboro Readiness Center, a state-of-the-art facility that will serve both the Oregon National Guard and the local community. Built by Fortis Construction in partnership with woman-owned CIDA Architects, the project introduces modern security, antiterrorism protections, and sustainable design standards to replace the city’s original 1954 armory.
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The groundbreaking took place in August 2025, drawing state leaders, Guard officials, and community members. Crews are now clearing the site and preparing foundations about a mile east of the old facility.
"As we break ground for the wonderful new readiness center, we look forward to continuing this legacy of connection and collaboration with Delta Company, 2nd Battalion, 162nd Infantry Regiment and Charlie Battery, 2nd Battalion, 218th Field Artillery Regiment," said Hillsboro Mayor Beach Pace. "We are excited for the future and remain deeply committed to the Hillsboro community."
The new center is designed to Department of Defense Minimum Antiterrorism Standards for Buildings, providing hardened structures capable of withstanding potential threats.
"As a military entity, we have additional security and terrorism-force protection," explained Melissa Burns, senior construction manager. "It's commercial construction, so it's a little more heavy duty. The Antiterrorism and Force Protection (ATFP) requirements require us to harden the building where we do different structural things. That may include different kinds of glass, such as blast-proof glass, offsets of the building — making sure that the building's in the right place on the site, and things like that to make sure people are safe."
The project will feature two pre-engineered buildings:
The readiness center will serve as the Guard’s hub for monthly drills, training exercises, and mission readiness, while also being available for community events.
"These updates will give the Oregon National Guard proper space to accomplish their mission," said Stephen Bomar, director of public affairs, Oregon Military Department.
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The facility’s design also includes flexible community use. Located next to the fairgrounds, the center will provide overflow space for classrooms, business training, weddings, and larger gatherings. "Because it has a big drill floor in the middle of it, sometimes there are local businesses that need a bigger space to train their staff," Bomar added.
Beyond its ATFP protections, the project incorporates LEED Silver standards, polished concrete flooring, and rooftop solar panels, reflecting Oregon’s emphasis on sustainable construction.
Despite the additional requirements, progress has been smooth so far. "We're just starting ... there's always unforeseen conditions," Burns noted. "We haven't had anything come up yet. The design team and the contractor and all of us have all worked really well together and come up with good solutions for things, and everything has gone well. Some of the ATFP and additional things we have to do for that are just different. Those are things that not every contractor and designer are used to having. But we as a team have come together and worked really well together and made sure that we've met all those requirements."
Expected to serve the Guard and Hillsboro residents for the next 50 years, the readiness center represents a significant investment in both national defense infrastructure and local community support. The facility is also a symbol of how military projects can balance stringent security standards with community engagement and sustainability goals.
Originally reported by Lori Tobias - CEG Correspondent in Construction Equipment Guide.
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