In November 2024, Gorge voters approved a capital bond to modernize Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC). Together with Oregon state matching funds, it puts over $12 million to work at The Dalles Campus (TDC) and the Hood River Center (HRC).
About the Projects
Measure 33-111 authorized a general obligation bond to repair, modernize, and secure college facilities — while keeping the tax rate the same, with no increase to the rate district taxpayers were already paying. Passage also made the college eligible for Oregon state matching funds, stretching every local dollar further.
A portion of the bond was used to pay off the district's existing debt, which reduces long-term interest costs for taxpayers. That leaves over $12 million in combined bond proceeds and state matching funds available for campus projects. The updates and improvements grew out of a facilities planning committee that reviewed every college building and recommended the priorities below.
What the Bond Funds
Security cameras, automatic door-locking and access control, fire-alarm upgrades, and seismic improvements to protect students and staff.
Renewing aging roofs, elevators, lighting, HVAC, and other core systems for better operations, energy efficiency, technology, and accessibility at both locations.
The Projects
Bond dollars fund a schedule of projects at both locations and across college-wide systems. Week-by-week detail is in Construction Updates below.
Replacing aging roofing to protect buildings and improve energy performance.
Upgrading elevator equipment for reliability, safety, and accessibility.
Replacing exterior stairs to improve safety and access between levels.
Evaluating building structures to guide seismic safety improvements.
New campus wayfinding and signage designed with Mayer/Reed for clearer navigation.
Modernizing building controls for comfort, efficiency, and smarter operations.
Upgraded fire alarm, security cameras, and door access control for safer campuses.
Assessing and replacing heating and cooling systems for efficiency and reliability.
Accessibility and parking improvements, beginning with a full site survey.
Strengthening campus network infrastructure to support modern learning technology.
Construction Updates
Weekly field updates and monthly reports to the CGCC Board are summarized here as design and construction milestones are reached. Most recent first.
Roofing, paving, and elevator work continue across campus this summer. Here's what's planned for August 17–21, and what to expect as the work moves ahead. Parking Lots #1, #2 and #4 see grinding Monday and Tuesday and paving prep Tuesday through Friday, so expect detours and limited parking all week — watch for signage and crew directions. Expect grinding and paving noise plus asphalt odor near the parking lots all week, and hot tar work at the Building 2 and Building 4 roofs Monday through Friday.
Paving crews are scheduled at The Dalles parking area and Parking Lot #3 Monday through Friday. Expect continued detours and limited parking in that area through the week. The east stair replacement finishes and that crew demobilizes Thursday.
Parking Lot #3 closed Tuesday, Aug. 4 while crews grind the lot ahead of repaving on Monday, Aug. 10. The main drive aisle to Parking Lot #2 stays open.
Four projects are active in the field at The Dalles Campus this week.
A crane lifted new equipment into the elevator equipment room as stair demolition advanced.
Stair and elevator replacement work spread across campus, with crews mobilizing from the west staircase to the east.
The program shifted from design into procurement and field work across several projects.
End-of-month updates were presented to the Board through the spring as key packages advanced.
With contracts in place, design teams began developing the first bond-funded improvements and the program settled into a steady monthly reporting rhythm.
HMK Company was engaged to manage the capital bond program. Initial professional-services contracts were approved and issued, and the college's bond communications plan — including newsletters and this landing page — was established.
Gorge voters passed the capital bond, launching the improvement program and unlocking Oregon state matching funds. Proceeds also retired the district's existing debt, lowering long-term interest costs.
Stay Informed
Bond program updates are shared with the community through weekly field notices, monthly and quarterly newsletters, and reports at public Board of Education meetings. Have a question about a project?
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