Developers: Specht Development, Inc.
Type of Project: A new Civic Center and mixed-use facility

Architect: LRS Architects, Inc.
Construction Manager/ General Contractor: Skanska USA Building, Inc., Housing - GSL Properties

Size: 358,000 square feet (total)

Cost: $33.5 million

Construction Time: July 2003-December 2004

Incorporated in 1876, Hillsboro is a thriving suburb of Portland. As the Washington County seat, Hillsboro is also a center for government and business.

The Hillsboro Civic Center is designed to consolidate city government into one building, regain a city hall identity and provide a mixed-use development, including retail and housing that will serve the city’s needs for years to come and help revitalize downtown.

The Hillsboro Civic Center is an intricate project spanning three large city blocks and adjoining a light rail line. The centerpiece is the 120,000-square foot city hall and two adjoining plazas. The project contains a 90-unit affordable housing complex, 9,000 square feet of retail and 12,000 square feet of commercial/flexible/office space. A third parcel is slated for a future market-rate housing project.

The large outdoor plazas are pedestrian-friendly and designed to host public events such as concerts, holiday activities and the local farmers’ markets. The first floor contains a 250-seat public auditorium connected to 3,500 square feet of conference rooms. The lobby features a monumental staircase with a Northwest-themed mosaic.
The development site was a brownfield, contaminated with dry-cleaning chemicals and petroleum by-products accumulated over the past 125 years, requiring extensive cleanup before construction began.

The community identified an environmental goal for all future municipal development through the Hillsboro 2020 Vision. Hillsboro City Hall has received a Gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental design (LEED TM) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, which makes it the first city hall in North America to be so designated. The project includes some very unique indoor air-quality features – the building closely monitors carbon dioxide and uses a dynamic filtration system in HVAC&R equipment, and only low volatile organic compound (VOC) emitting paints, carpets and sealants were utilized. Eight existing builds were demolished and the team achieved a 90 percent recycling rate for the demolished materials.

The result is a project that is environmentally friendly and fulfills the city’s needs by providing a functional and inviting space.

Source: Real Estate and Construction Review, Northwest Edition, Volume 3 2006 Edition.