UPDATE: The city of Umatilla has officially broken ground on a transformative new $19.8 million police station, marking a significant step in public safety for the community. The ceremony, held on March 3, 2023, follows the recent approval of a bond measure by voters, who overwhelmingly recognized the urgent need for improved law enforcement facilities.
Mayor Caden Sipe emphasized the importance of this new facility, stating, “Today is more than the start of construction. It’s the beginning of keeping a promise of public safety.” This project is a response to a pressing need that has been on the city’s agenda since 2021, replacing the outdated mobile home currently serving as the police headquarters.
The planned 14,000-square-foot station will be strategically located on Sixth Street (Highway 730) between C and D streets, right next to the existing facility. Designed by the architectural firm McKenzie, the new station will accommodate the growing needs of the Umatilla Police Department, ensuring they can effectively serve and protect the community.
In a statement, architect David Linton remarked, “It’s right-sized for today and well into the future.” The new station will include vital features such as private meeting rooms for officers and victims, secure interview spaces, modern equipment, and a public community room for events. These enhancements are critical, as the current facility has failed to meet basic operational needs.
Police Chief Ronald Bridge highlighted the excitement surrounding the project, stating, “This is truly an exciting moment for this community. The current police station lacks a lot of things right now. This is really going to make a difference.” He also recognized the contributions of former police chief Darla Huxel in paving the way for this development.
Failure to build a new station would have left Umatilla facing high maintenance costs and operational inefficiencies, compromising safety for both staff and the public. In a victory for community safety, Umatilla voters reversed their earlier rejection of a similar bond in May 2025, approving the measure by a narrow margin of 54% to 46% just six months later.
City Manager Dave Stockdale credited the creation of a Public Safety Center Credit as a factor in the bond’s success. This initiative provides an annual credit equal to each household’s bond payment for the police station, easing the financial burden on residential taxpayers. With an estimated annual cost of $115,000 for the credit over the duration of the 20-year bond, it is designed to minimize the impact on local families.
Notably, for every $1 paid by local residents, corporations operating in the enterprise zone will contribute $14.50. Major companies like Amazon Web Services and Sabey are projected to cover 93.5% of the bond costs through property taxes, allowing the city to focus on enhancing safety and services for citizens.
Once the new station opens, expected by summer 2027, the city plans to demolish the current police department building, transforming the site into a public off-street parking lot. This project signifies a commitment to modernizing Umatilla’s law enforcement infrastructure and prioritizing community safety.
As Umatilla embarks on this significant upgrade, residents are encouraged to stay informed about developments in the construction process and how this new facility will enhance public safety for years to come.
