In the end, the land for the new law enforcement campus will cost taxpayers nearly $5.875 million – a figure that now settles the eminent domain proceedings, which have cost $135,539 in legal fees. The settlement between the County and McFadden Ranch LLC was signed by the court on Thursday, June 13.
The parcel is 20 acres, just north of downtown, by the HP campus.
Back in 2022, the County was going to go with a 35-acre site on Reservoir Road, where the seller had agreed on a price of $1.5 million. But, a well-resourced homeowners’ group in that area applied pressure, and officials then decided to pursue the McFadden parcel.
At the time, County officials were preparing an appeal to voters for $110 million in spending on a new jail and sheriff’s office for the parcel – a bid that voters ultimately rejected by more than 13 points in May of 2023.
Here’s what’s planned for the land now
While voters turned down the jail and sheriff’s office – County officials had the authority to borrow funds towards a new courthouse, district attorney’s offices, and an emergency operations center – all of which is projected to cost $86.8 million, but the County will only need to come up with $48.7 million, and even some of that will come from federal resources. The remaining $38.1 million will come from the state’s coffers as matching funds.
Why replace facilities
The historic Benton County Courthouse, built in 1888, is the oldest courthouse in Oregon currently being used for its original and intended purpose. It’s also a seismic disaster waiting to happen. In the event of an earthquake, even a moderate one, it would almost certainly bury jurors and bystanders and civil servants in rubble.
The building also houses the current district attorney’s office – and it’s only 27,000 square feet. The new courthouse will be 48,892 square feet and the new district attorney’s office will be 7,382 square feet.
There’s been some speculation that once the new courthouse is built, the old one could be operated as an historic site – but one can also anticipate it will take some time for the options to become clearer.
What about a new jail
There is no current plan for a new jail or sheriff’s office. Officials have discussed trying to save for a new jail, and then approaching voters once they have accrued about half the needed funds. If they do approach voters again about a jail, it would be the County’s fifth attempt.
Do you have a story for The Advocate? Email editor@corvallisadvocate.com