By Marie Kennedy The Mountain Times
This May, voters in the Hoodland Fire District will decide whether to approve a proposed $19.145 million general obligation bond to fund a new Main Fire Station 351. The measure will appear on the May 20, 2025 ballot and comes after years of discussion over the limitations of the district’s current primary fire facility.
The existing station, located in Welches, has served the community for decades but is widely considered outdated and no longer suitable for the district’s growing needs. District officials point to a range of issues with the building — from aging infrastructure and health hazards to cramped quarters and lack of modern emergency response features — as reasons for the proposed replacement.
Among the most pressing concerns: the presence of asbestos and other hazardous materials in the structure, poor air ventilation exposing staff to diesel exhaust, and a lack of proper decontamination areas for gear and clothing. Firefighters currently sleep in a temporary mobile unit behind the station that does not have a restroom, which department leaders say contributes to operational inefficiency and response time delays.
Attempts to remodel the building have been ruled out due to space limitations on the current property, which is too narrow for meaningful expansion. The structure also lacks seismic reinforcement and does not meet current ADA accessibility standards. In addition, the costs to renovate, even if possible, would be close to what a new structure would cost.
To address these issues, the Hoodland Fire District is proposing to build a new station on a larger site at the former Dorman Center on Salmon River Road, across from Welches Middle School. Clackamas County has agreed to donate the land, valued at up to $1 million, if the bond is approved and the project is deemed feasible.
The new facility would include proper decontamination and ventilation systems, ADA compliance, upgraded sleeping and living quarters, and seismic readiness. Plans also call for a community room, administrative offices, and dedicated space for the U.S. Forest Service, which has committed $5.6 million toward the project in exchange for long-term use of the space.
The total cost of the project has been reduced from an initial $24 million estimate to $18.8 million, with cost projections verified by an independent contractor. If passed, the bond would cost property owners an estimated 78 cents per $1,000 of assessed value — approximately $171.60 annually, or $14.30 per month, for a home assessed at $220,000.
The district is actively pursuing additional grants and donations to help offset project costs. A $2 million application has been submitted through the offices of U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden under the Community Investment Program (CIP). A second grant request for $3 million has been submitted through the office of Oregon State Senator Daniel Bonham. This application has been processed by the Capital Construction Subcommittee coordinator, and both grants are currently under evaluation.
District officials stress that the need for a safe, functional facility is urgent. Division Chief Scott Kline, who has served in the department for 40 years, said that the station is no longer adequate for the demands placed on modern emergency responders. “We’re dealing with medical emergencies, car crashes, and wildfire threats almost daily,” Kline said. “We need a facility that supports that level of response.”
If the bond fails, the district plans to revise and resubmit a proposal for the November 2025 election.
The Hoodland Fire District serves a 45-square-mile area between Sandy and Mount Hood, including Welches, Brightwood, Zigzag, and Government Camp. It operates with a mix of 11 career firefighters and about 30 volunteers, responding to more than 1,000 calls each year.
Voters looking for more information can visit hoodlandfire.gov, where the district has posted detailed plans, cost estimates, and frequently asked questions.