Public Works Campus

Combining five City departments, building one Public Works campus to maximize coordination and efficiency in the core services we provide.

Why does the City of Bend need a new Public Works campus?

Existing buildings that the City has used for decades are at capacity and at the end of their useful life. Bend’s Public Works departments (Engineering, Facilities, Fleet, Transportation & Mobility, and Water Services (Utilities) were dispersed in different locations across Bend, posing challenges to efficient collaboration. City staff compared the costs of investing in existing facilities versus building a new one and recommended that a new campus would be the best, cost-effective approach.  A new campus allows for all of these departments to be co-located. Operations could continue uninterrupted while the new campus was being built. The new campus is on land the City already owned in Juniper Ridge.

Bringing together these departments will reduce annual maintenance requirements and allow for better coordination and efficiencies.

The 35.5-acre site includes administrative and employee work spaces, fleet maintenance, shop and warehouse facilities, vehicle wash and storage accommodations, community meeting rooms and more.

Public Works Campus Headquarters, 21051 NE Talus Place, Bend, OR 97701 

In 2018, the City began searching for a location that could house the needed departments and associated equipment. In 2021, the Bend City Council approved an area within Juniper Ridge for the new Public Works Campus, because it has adequate space and the City owns land there (which lowers the overall cost). It was also part of a strategy to spur development in this area.

• 2015: Conceptual planning starts
• 2021: Location approved
• 2022: Contracts approved
• 2022: Planning and design work started
• 2023: Groundbreaking and construction starts
• 2025: Move-in and opening
• 2026: Public celebration and open house

The Public Works Campus project was initiated in 2015 with the planning of a new public works building to house our growing workforce and these departments.

Planning and design work began in 2022. When the location for the new campus was approved in 2021, Council also approved the use of a progressive design-build contracting method. Council authorized contracts with Otak Inc. and Kirby Nagelhout Construction Co. in January and April 2022. In June 2023, Council authorized site work construction agreements.

Construction began in fall 2023. Operations moved into the new facilities in October and November of 2025.

One-time resources help us invest in this $130 million project including the sale of the Boyd Acres campus, where Utility offices are currently located, and Juniper Ridge land sales. For the remainder, the City will issue long term debt which will be repaid by the departments over time.