Construction on the long-awaited $4.1 million expansion of the Oregon Fire Station is steadily progressing, with officials confirming the project remains both on schedule and within budget.
On Aug. 27, crews could be seen preparing forms to pour concrete for the foundation of the addition, which will effectively double the size of the 40-year-old station. The project, located at 100 Washington St. along the west bank of the Rock River, is one of the most significant infrastructure upgrades in the fire district’s history.
“We anticipated that we would be putting fill in. We knew that area had been filled previously with old concrete so we wanted to be sure we had a solid base to work with so that was all in the original plan,” Oregon Fire Chief Michael Knoup explained. “It is my understanding that it was a lumber yard at one time. We’re on track and on budget.”
The expansion faced an early hurdle due to zoning restrictions. In January, the Oregon City Council voted unanimously to approve a zoning variance and special-use permit, despite the fire station’s location within the city’s River Front Commercial District. The decision came after a packed council meeting where roughly 100 residents turned out to show support, leading commissioners to override a prior Planning Commission recommendation.
The station, built in 1985, had been grandfathered into the district when the River Front Commercial zoning was created in 2016. Without council approval, the planned “significant changes” would have made the station nonconforming.
Chief Knoup emphasized that the larger facility is essential to modern operations. The expansion will provide space for bigger fire engines and ambulances, consolidate all apparatus and equipment under one roof, and create improved living quarters for full-time firefighters and paramedics.
Knoup said the project will take 14 to 16 months to complete in three phases. “We are looking to have the steel supports put up this month. The building shell should be up by the end of October,” he said.
District trustees had considered relocating and building an entirely new station but rejected the idea due to cost concerns. That option carried an $8 million to $10 million price tag, nearly double the current expansion.
Instead, the project is being financed through a mix of existing capital funds, bonds, and grants—without raising the property tax levy for residents. Cord Construction Co. is leading the build, with support from local subcontractors including Martin & Co.
Beyond bricks and mortar, officials say the expansion directly ties to public safety. Oregon’s emergency calls have tripled since the station was built, rising from 400 in 1985 to more than 1,200 in 2024. About 80% of those calls were ambulance-related, reflecting the growing demand on paramedic services.
Consolidating equipment and housing all personnel in one location is expected to reduce response times. Knoup highlighted the life-or-death importance of those minutes, pointing to the department’s 2024 rescues of 26 people from the Rock River.
“The citizens of Oregon and its tourists are our priority,” Knoup told council members earlier this year.
The Oregon Fire District has also undergone a major transformation since the 1980s. Once an all-volunteer department, it now operates as a combination of paid and volunteer staffing, employing nine full-time firefighters and paramedics who work in rotating shifts.
Knoup said the expansion reflects this shift and the need to support staff with adequate living and training facilities. “I want to thank the public for their continued support. We are right on target,” he added.
Once completed, the larger station will allow the fire district to keep pace with the growing demands of emergency service while ensuring taxpayers get the most value for their investment.
Originally reported by Earleen Hinton - Shaw Local News Network Correspondent in Shaw Local.
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