UPDATE: Umatilla has officially broken ground on a new $19.8 million police station, marking a significant step toward enhanced public safety. The groundbreaking ceremony took place on March 3, just four months after voters approved the funding measure.
Mayor Caden Sipe emphasized the importance of this moment, stating, “Today is more than the start of construction. It’s the beginning of keeping a promise of public safety.” This urgent development addresses the city’s long-standing need for a larger and more effective law enforcement facility.
The new police station, set to be constructed on Sixth Street (Highway 730) between C and D streets, will replace the current outdated triple-wide mobile home, which has served as the police station for over 40 years. The city has prioritized this project since 2021 to better serve its growing population.
Architect David Linton from McKenzie highlighted that the station will be designed to accommodate future growth. “It’s right-sized for today and well into the future,” Linton noted. The planned 14,000-square-foot building will provide private meeting spaces for officers with victims and witnesses, and secure areas for suspect interviews, significantly improving operational efficiency.
“This is truly an exciting moment for this community,” said Police Chief Ronald Bridge. He pointed out the limitations of the current facility, noting that it lacks essential features that will be included in the new station, such as a community room for public events and adequate parking.
The decision to build this new facility comes after voters initially rejected a similar bond in May 2025. However, the bond gained approval in November 2025 with a close vote of 54% to 46%. City Manager Dave Stockdale credited the establishment of the Public Safety Center Credit for the bond’s success, which offsets costs for residential taxpayers by providing an annual credit equivalent to each household’s bond payment.
Stockdale explained that while the city will incur approximately $115,000 a year during the bond’s 20-year lifespan, large corporations in the area, including Amazon Web Services and Sabey, will contribute significantly. For each dollar paid by a local resident, these corporations will pay $14.50 in property taxes. This financial structure ensures that the burden on local taxpayers remains minimal.
Once construction of the new station is completed, expected by summer 2027, the old Umatilla Police Department building will be demolished, and the area will be transformed into a public off-street parking lot.
As Umatilla takes this monumental step towards enhancing its public safety infrastructure, the community looks forward to the positive changes that the new police station will bring. Residents can expect further updates as construction progresses, ensuring that public safety remains a top priority in the city.
