News Flash

In our latest e-News, check out details about Outdoor Burning, the latest on City Hall and more!

Ashland City Hall, located at 20 East Main Street, has served the community for more than a century. The property was deeded to the City of Ashland in 1884 by John R. and Mary Helman. In 1891, the original City Hall was built, and major additions were added in 1913 and 1995. 

Over time, City Hall has experienced increasing wear and deferred maintenance that now requires significant attention. Today, those accumulated needs have reached a turning point. In the coming months, City Council will evaluate the future of City Hall and determine the most responsible path forward.

The 2024–2025 Facilities Master Plan identifies the building as being in critical condition and recommends divestment and adaptive reuse. The Plan supports consolidating City services into a unified civic campus to improve public access, enhance operational efficiency and strengthen long-term stewardship of public resources.

Building Issues

Since the mid-1990s, multiple studies have identified significant problems at City Hall, including seismic vulnerabilities, deteriorating unreinforced parapets, inadequate shear walls, knob-and-tube electric, end-of-life roof and HVAC systems and ADA accessibility limitations. These issues affect safety, functionality and long-term usability.

As of February 17, 2026, staff vacated the City Hall building due to newly found structural concerns with the building’s roof following a commercial code inspection. Under the Fire Marshal’s guidance, the building has been temporarily vacated while a licensed engineer conducts a structural assessment. 

The forthcoming engineering assessment will help inform future decisions about City Hall. For now, potential approaches include moving City Hall functions to a new location with consolidated city services, rebuilding or significantly redeveloping City Hall where it is currently or maintaining the existing building with bare-necessity improvements. Each option carries financial, operational and logistical considerations, which the City Council will review carefully before making a final determination.

Options for the Future

Consolidating City Services at a modern civic campus

Consolidating City services and staff into a modern, publicly accessible civic campus at a different location could improve operational efficiency, enhance accessibility and support long-term cost control. This option would likely lead the City to lease or sell the current City Hall building without making any major improvements.   

Restoration and Reconstruction

This option brings the building up to current standards and improves the usability and functionality of the space. This would likely require partial demolition and reconstruction for seismic upgrades, along with major mechanical, electrical, plumbing and accessibility improvements. As a designated historic resource, such work would require review under the City’s Historic Rehabilitation and Design Standards, including oversight by the State Historic Preservation Office, the City’s Historic Preservation Advisory Committee and potentially the City’s Planning Commission. 

In 2020, restoration and partial reconstruction were estimated at $7.2 million; adjusted to 2026 dollars, costs exceed $10 million. A bond to finance the construction needed went before the voters in 2020 but was voted down.

Perform Minimum Maintenance (continue current approach)

To keep using City Hall “as is” will require some immediate maintenance needs estimated between $756,500 and $1,346,000 over the next five years. These figures do not include ADA compliance, seismic upgrades, mechanical, electrical, plumbing improvements or repair items under $1,000. Deferring these other critical upgrades could lead to system failure within a year or significantly higher repair costs down the line.

Complicating the conversation, before City Council determines the long-term direction for City Hall, the City must first secure clear title to the property. It would not be fiscally responsible to make a major taxpayer-funded investment in the building without confirmed ownership.

Current Status of City Hall Title

Before the City makes any major investments into City Hall, the City is seeking a “clean title” to ensure City ownership well into the future. The City of Ashland owns City Hall; however, the property deed includes a reversionary clause stating that if City Hall and the adjoining Plaza cease to be used as a public square, town hall and jail, ownership of the property may revert to the Helman heirs. As a result, the title is encumbered, limiting the City’s flexibility to use, renovate or sell the building. 

Although the City Hall contains a historic jail, it has not been used as a jail since the 1970s. This non-use is potentially misaligned with the conditions outlined in the deed. For this reason, the City has initiated a lawsuit and the City Attorney’s Office has been in communication with the Helman heirs and is working with their legal counsel to resolve the title issue. Clearing the title would eliminate the associated deed risk and allow the City to consider infrastructure investments or program changes with greater certainty and flexibility.

The business of the City continues

It is important to remember that City Hall is both a building and a function. While the historic structure has long symbolized local government, the business of the City continues, ensuring that services, operations and public engagement move forward regardless of location.

While the building’s future is under evaluation, the business of the City continues, focused on providing services, maintaining infrastructure and supporting the residents of Ashland. For updates on City Hall or to leave questions or comments, please visit, ashlandoregon.gov/CityHall. You can also stay tuned by attending/watching City Council Regular Business meetings, which take place on the first and third Tuesday of each month; Study Sessions take place the first and third Monday of each month. 

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City Hall administrative staff have temporarily vacated the building following findings from a January Commercial Building Code inspection report  and the Fire Marshal’s General Fire Inspection (PDF) conducted this week. While the facility had previously been closed to the public, except for limited City Manager and Council office hours, it has now been deemed unsafe for employee occupancy until an evaluation can be completed by a licensed structural engineer.

As of February 17, 2026, administrative staff are working remotely while the City’s Leadership Team identifies temporary office locations. 

City Manager and Council office hours have been canceled this week. Updated location information will be posted on the City website as it becomes available. 

To learn more about City Hall and to stay up-to-date, visit ashlandoregon.gov/CityHall. We are Better Together! 

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Learn about City Hall’s history, costs, building conditions & legal constraints, then take the survey and share your vision to help shape our future together. This and more in the latest edition.

The Ashland Parks Foundation, with the City of Ashland’s permission, will lead a project to recreate the historic Butler-Perozzi Fountain in Lithia Park, preserving its beauty and structural integrity for generations to come.

The Butler-Perozzi Fountain, originally carved in Italy for the 1915 Panama-pacific International Exposition, was installed in Lithia Park in 1916. Since then, it has served as a beloved park landmark. Due to the soft nature of the original marble and Southern Oregon’s weather conditions, the fountain has suffered significant deterioration over time and undergone several restoration efforts over the last century. 

Today, the fountain has severe weathering, cracking, and mechanical issues, marking the need for another major restoration effort. The Ashland Parks Foundation, through generous community support, has raised approximately $800,000 to bring the fountain back to life, and is preparing to break ground on the project.

As a part of their planning, the Ashland Parks Foundation formed a Construction Steering Committee made up of local builders, architects, planners, and historic preservation experts to determine how to most effectively use the donated funds.  Based on recommendations from the Steering Committee and with support from the Oregon State Historic Preservation Office, the project will create an exact replica of the 1915 fountain, using marble selected for its strength and ability to withstand Ashland’s climate.

“Once we fully understood the condition of the fountain and the limitations of the original marble, it became clear that repeated repairs would not provide a lasting solution,” said Mike Gardiner, President of the Ashland Parks Foundation and Construction Steering Committee member. “Creating an exact replica of the 1915 fountain allows us to honor the original design while ensuring long-term durability.”

The fountain will be reproduced by local sculptors Jack Langford and Kevin Christman in their Southern Oregon studio, using marble quarried in Vermont. The project also includes reconstruction of the surrounding terrace, stairs, plumbing, and electrical systems, which will be performed by local firm Outlier Construction. The bottom pedestal of the basin – the only remining component of the original historic fountain – will be displayed alongside the new fountain. 

Construction is expected to begin March 1, 2026, weather permitting, with completion anticipated by Fall 2026. Prior to construction, two maple trees near the fountain will be removed as their roots have caused significant structural damage to the fountain and its concrete foundation. Replacement landscaping is planned as part of the overall project, including trees to replace lost canopy within the park. The project is fully funded by the donations raised by the Ashland Parks Foundation.

“This project reflects the power of partnerships in creating a legacy for generations to come,” stated Sabrina Cotta, City Manager. “I want to thank the Parks Foundation for their tireless efforts in making this project happen.” 

Once complete, the Butler-Perozzi Fountain will continue to be a centerpiece of Lithia Park, honoring its historic origins while ensuring its continued presence as one of Ashland’s most cherished landmarks. For updates and additional information, visit ashlandparksfoundation.org/Butler-Perozzi-Fountain or email the Foundation. 

To learn more about Ashland’s parks and community, visit ashlandoregon.gov. We are Better Together.

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Explore what’s underway across Ashland: ice rink upgrades, safer streets, strategic planning, a new water plant and more. Follow progress, timelines and how these projects shape our future!

The Culvert Replacement Project is nearing completion, and we thank the community for its patience and flexibility throughout the construction period.

This picture was taken by the City of Ashland GIS Team during the height of the culvert project in September 2025. 

As of Saturday, January 24, 2026, fencing and barricades will be removed and public access to the area will be restored. While the site will largely resemble its pre-construction condition, some visible changes may remain. Parking along guardrails is not permitted.

Access along USFS (United States Forest Service) Road 2060 will return to its previous configuration, and the Wonder and Wasabi trailheads will be restored to their original locations. The temporary bridge will be removed, and the temporary trail will be blocked to allow the area to fully return to pre-project conditions.

Construction began in July 2025, to replace an aging culvert at a major Ashland Creek crossing near the top of Granite Street. The project upgrades infrastructure to better handle future storms and installs electrical, fiber optic and water system components needed for the City’s new Water Treatment Plant. 

This offsite culvert replacement marks the first phase of the voter-approved Water Treatment Plant project. Final engineering, permitting and bidding are expected to be complete in Fall 2026. Construction will begin in Fall 2026 and is projected to take approximately three years.

We appreciate the community’s cooperation during construction and look forward to reopening the area for public use. For more information on the Water Treatment Plant project, visit ashlandoregon.gov/WaterPlant.

We are Better Together!

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Thank you to everyone who joined Town Hall 2026, in person or via livestream, we appreciate your participation. If you missed it or want a rewatch, here’s our 2023–2025 Accomplishments short film.

Updates to this project will be posted to our Major Projects page. 

At the October 7, 2025, Ashland City Council meeting, a contract with Carter & Co. for the North Mountain Avenue Overlay, Phase 1 Project, was approved. This project will reconstruct the asphalt surface on North Mountain Avenue between the Interstate 5 overpass and Hersey Street. The work also includes upgrading existing accessible curb ramps to meet current ADA standards, along with additional pedestrian and bicycle safety improvements.

Construction is scheduled to begin January 5, 2026. Traffic control measures, including detours, will be in place, and traffic delays should be anticipated throughout the duration of the project. Every effort will be made to maintain safe and efficient operations, with completion anticipated by June 30, 2026.

Phase 2 of the project is currently in design, with final engineering, permitting and bidding anticipated to be complete by Fall 2026. Construction to follow.

For more information, please contact the City of Ashland Public Works Department at 541-488-5587 or via email. We are Better Together! 

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From paving to street sweeping and tackling snowy conditions, our Streets Crews handle it all. Visit our Streets page for the sweeping schedule, snowplow routes and more!

UPDATE August 8, 2025:

A temporary bridge across Ashland Creek officially opened today, August 8. The bridge restores access to the popular Wonder and Wasabi trails, as well as to USFS (United States Forest Service) Road 2060. 

When visiting the area, please follow all posted signage and observe the trail detour, particularly near the temporary bridge, where the trail is currently designated as mixed-use. Cyclists: please walk your bikes in this section for everyone’s safety.

SEE NEW MAP BELOW 

ORIGINAL July 16, 2025:  

A major crossing on Ashland Creek will undergo construction for the next six months, limiting trail and creek access at the top of Granite Street. Starting July 21,2025, the Ashland Creek crossing on the west side of the Ashland Loop Road/Horn Creek Road will be closed to replace a culvert that passes under the road to upgrade it to handle future storms, install electrical and fiber optic cables and various water system pipes that will be needed for the City’s new water treatment plant. This is the first phase of this critical water supply project that was approved by Ashland voters in 2024. Work has to be done in the summer months due to restrictions on water quality and aquatic habitat.

WHAT WILL BE CLOSED?

The Fairy Ponds parking and access, Wasabi Trail, Wonder Trail and the west-side lower 2060 will be closed for the rest of this year. You can click the map below to see the closed area.

WHAT ABOUT FIRE ACCESS?

Access for emergency response will be maintained by the contractor working on the project so that first responders can access the western area of the watershed for the rest of fire season.  

MAP OF THE AREA

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Updated December 2025: 

In November 2025, the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Administrator signed the $73M loan agreement for the new Water Treatment Plant. See the EPA News Release. The loan will officially close in mid-December 2025. 

Original News Release in May 2025: 

City Moves Forward with Water Treatment Plant Funding Despite Grant Program Changes

The City of Ashland is making steady progress on funding its much-needed Water Treatment Plant Project, even as it navigates shifts in federal grant programs. While recent changes to FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant may have raised concerns, the project is fully funded through a long-term, low-cost federal loan. Additional grants are still being pursued to help reduce the financial burden on local ratepayers.

WIFIA Loan Secures Core Project Funding

The cornerstone of the project’s financing is a $73 million loan from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program. The current cost estimate for this project is $71.15M (high) to $55.68M (low). This loan supports Ashland’s Water System Resiliency Improvement Project, which carries a total estimated cost of $113 million^* and will serve 21,000 people.

The new water treatment plant will be built in a safer location, replacing the aging and vulnerable facility currently situated in a flood- and fire-prone canyon. The project also includes installation of new transmission pipelines and treatment technology to address harmful algal blooms. The WIFIA loan offers flexible repayment terms designed to save the City approximately $11 million over its life, helping minimize the impact on water ratepayers.

^*The $113M is the total estimated debt payment over the 35-year-$73M project loan. 

Grant Program Update: BRIC to Flood Mitigation Assistance

Ashland had originally been pursuing a FEMA BRIC grant to help offset the treatment plant’s cost. However, in April 2025, FEMA cancelled all 2024 BRIC sub-applications and halted funding for previously awarded projects that had not yet begun construction or finalized grant agreements. This affected several Oregon communities, including Ashland, Medford and Grants Pass.

In coordination with the Oregon Office of Emergency Management (OEM) and the City’s grant consultant, West Yost, Ashland pivoted to FEMA’s Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) program. Unlike BRIC, the FMA program remains active and continues to fund eligible projects. The City was able to repurpose most of the BRIC application materials for the new FMA submission, which is now under review.

It’s important to emphasize that the cancellation of the BRIC program has no impact on the viability of the Water Treatment Plant Project. The WIFIA loan already provides full funding. The City continues to pursue grant funding to lessen the impact on ratepayers—not because the project is at risk.

Additional Funding Opportunities

The City is also working with the Oregon Infrastructure Finance Authority (IFA) on grant funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law - Emerging Contaminants (BIL-EC) program. This could include up to $9.8 million in additional grant support. Grant funding through this program is anticipated in the 2026–2027 timeframe.

Water Cost of Service and Rate Review

Since the summer of 2024, Ashland’s Public Works Department has partnered with HDR Engineering to complete an updated Water Cost of Service Study. This study is critical in establishing water rates that are equitable and to manage long-term affordability. 

The study follows national industry standards, specifically the American Water Works Association’s M1 Manual: Principles of Water Rates, Fees and Charges. Its primary goal is to ensure that each customer class—residential, commercial, institutional, etc.—pays a fair share based on actual service costs. No one customer group should subsidize another.

The cost of service study also ensures that the water fund can meet its operational, capital, policy and debt obligations. (Rates will be established utilizing the funding from the 9.8M BIL-EC Grant.) These factors are reevaluated every two years during the City’s biennial budget process. This comprehensive review helps protect the utility’s long-term financial health while providing transparency to the public.

Culvert Work and Construction Timeline

Construction work tied to the treatment plant project begins this summer with offsite piping installation along Glenview and Granite Streets. This includes replacement of the aging Ashland Creek culvert with a modern, fish-friendly structure capable of passing a 100-year flood event.

This phase will take approximately four to six months and will temporarily affect parking and increase truck traffic in the area. The City is taking steps to maintain safe trail access for residents during this period.

Conclusion

The City of Ashland is fully committed to delivering a modern, reliable and resilient water system. Despite federal grant program changes, funding for the new Water Treatment Plant is secured. Ongoing efforts to secure additional grants and implement fair rate structures reflect the City’s dedication to fiscal responsibility and environmental stewardship. We are Better Together! 

Track the progress of the Water Treatment Plant project at ashlandoregon.gov/WaterPlant.

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