LEC Seismic Retrofit Dedication

For Immediate Release: Thursday, March 08, 2018

Washington County to Host Seismic Retrofit Dedication Ceremony

On Tuesday, March 13, at 10:30 a.m., Washington County officials will host a brief program and ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the completion of critical seismic upgrades to the Law Enforcement Center (LEC), home of the Washington County Sheriff's Office and Jail. The LEC is located at 215 SW Adams Avenue in Hillsboro. As part of an overall strategy to prepare for a Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake, the LEC is the first of a handful of county buildings to receive critical seismic retrofits over several years.

Although compliant with existing building codes when it was built in 1998, engineering studies concluded that the structural integrity of the LEC could be compromised in a major earthquake. Seismic strengthening was necessary to protect life safety and to harden the LEC to a higher level of resilience that essential facilities require.

The LEC seismic retrofit project began in April, 2017 and was completed two weeks ahead of schedule and approximately $761,000 under-budget in mid-September. The design included the application of notable external cross bracing in key locations around the building which will allow it to maintain operational capability following a major earthquake.

Washington County contracted with Portland-based SERA Architects, JE Dunn Construction, KPFF Consulting Engineers, Professional Roof Consultants Inc., DCW Cost Management and other trade partners to assist with design and management of the project. The County received funding for this project from the State's Seismic Rehabilitation Grant Program (SRGP) for $1.5 million which contributed substantially to the overall final budget of $4.47 million.

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