City of Hood River hosts police station tours: Public safety bond on Nov. 3 ballot

As previously reported by Columbia Gorge News, when officers moved into the basement of city hall in 2010, they didn’t expect it to be for more than five years. Now in year 16, the department is looking at a remodel that would include seismic upgrades to the entire building, which is more than 100 years old — and was once the fire station.

With that history comes several challenges, such as inadequate ventilation, insufficient evidence processing and storage space, and the lack of meeting and training rooms.

The building itself is also not seismically sound. Because the state provides grants for seismic improvements to first responder and essential facilities, the remodel is an opportunity to bring the building up to seismic standards at the same time; the second-floor addition is part of that “shoring up.”

In addition to not having dedicated space for interviewing suspects or victims, there is also no ventilation, which makes it difficult to safely handle dangerous substances like fentanyl. There is also no evidence processing area or training space.

For more information, visit www.cityofhoodriver.gov/bond.

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Another measure, 14-85, would authorize a property tax to fund affordable housing for local workers, children, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. Read a commentary by Hood River City Council President Gladys Rivera and Councilor Doug Stepina for details on this bond at columbiagorgenews.com.