The city of Umatilla has officially broken ground on a new police station, a project budgeted at $19.8 million. The ceremony took place on March 3, 2024, just four months after local voters approved a bond measure to fund the construction. Mayor Caden Sipe emphasized the significance of the project, stating, “Today is more than the start of construction. It’s the beginning of keeping a promise of public safety.”
The new facility is designed to replace the current police station, which has been in use for over 40 years and is housed in a triple-wide mobile home. This outdated structure was initially intended for administrative purposes and has become inadequate for the needs of the community. The new station will span 14,000 square feet and will be located on Sixth Street (Highway 730) between C and D streets, adjacent to the existing facility.
Enhancing Public Safety and Community Support
According to David Linton from the architectural firm McKenzie, the new station will be built to accommodate future growth, allowing for improved functionality. “It’s right-sized for today and well into the future,” Linton noted during the groundbreaking ceremony. The design includes adequate space for officers to conduct private meetings with victims and witnesses, secure interviews with suspects, and utilize modern equipment. Furthermore, the facility will provide essential resources for the physical and mental well-being of the police staff.
The new police station will also feature a community room for public meetings and events, along with off-street parking. The existing station does not offer these vital amenities. Police Chief Ronald Bridge expressed his enthusiasm for 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 acknowledged the contributions of former police chief Darla Huxel, who played a role in the station’s development.
Continuing operations from the outdated facility would likely lead to increased maintenance costs, operational inefficiencies, and inadequate safety conditions for both staff and the public, according to city officials.
Funding and Future Plans
The journey to secure funding for the new police station was not without challenges. Umatilla voters initially rejected a similar bond in May 2025, with a vote of 58.1% to 41.9%. However, the bond was later approved in November of the same year, with 54% voting in favor. City Manager Dave Stockdale highlighted the significance of the Public Safety Center Credit, which played a crucial role in the bond’s successful passage. This credit provides an annual offset to local taxpayers, equating to each household’s general obligation bond payment for the police station.
The cost of this credit to the city is projected to be approximately $115,000 annually over the life of the 20-year bond. Stockdale also noted that for every $1 paid by local residents, corporations operating within the enterprise zone, such as Amazon Web Services and Sabey, will contribute $14.50. These large companies are expected to cover 93.5% of the total bond costs through property taxes.
Once the new station is complete, the city plans to demolish the existing police department building and convert the site into a public off-street parking lot. The new police station is anticipated to be operational by the summer of 2027, marking a significant step forward in enhancing public safety for Umatilla residents.
