Construction will begin in early May 2026 on a remodeling and expansion project at McMinnville Water & Light’s main headquarters on Marsh Lane.
Since 1988, MW&L has served the community from its Marsh Lane location. In 2023, MW&L developed a multi-phase facility master plan to address the aging main facility, which includes seismic improvements to the buildings, remodeling and expanding the main office building, and expanding the warehouse.
Foremost among the deficiencies of MW&L’s headquarters is that the buildings do not conform with current seismic codes that are required to bring the structures into compliance with current seismic standards for Critical Facilities.
Other deficiencies of the current buildings include:
- Lack of a meeting space, conference rooms, and employee break room space.
- Offices are at full capacity, resulting in many staff members in work spaces that don’t meet their needs.
- HVAC system is inadequate.
- IT infrastructure is dated, and wiring is starting to fail.
- The administrative building’s roof and windows have reached the end of their functional life and need to be fully replaced.
- The restrooms are non-ADA compliant.
- Envelope weatherproofing is failing.
- The site lacks covered or enclosed storage for critical materials and vehicles for security reasons and ideally should be stored under cover to protect from outdoor elements.
Facility improvements include:
- Additional office space for current staff and future growth.
- A 2,500-square-foot conference room for commission meetings, all staff meetings and training.
- Additional smaller conference rooms for departmental meetings.
- An adequately sized lunch/break room for staff.
- Expanded customer service area, including ADA accessibility improvements.
- The warehouse addition will provide needed space for secure storage of critical materials and utility vehicles.
- Updated security gate and fencing around the facility.
Last year, MW&L contracted with MWA Architects, an architectural firm, and P&C Construction, a general contractor, for the design and scope of the Office Expansion/Remodel & Warehouse Seismic Retrofit project. The project will add approximately 14,000 square feet to the administration building and 18,500 square feet to the warehouse.
“This project has been in our long-range facility plan for years, and through thoughtful planning, we are able to fund this project from reserves,” said John Dietz, MW&L general manager. “These upgrades will provide the needs for the utility’s operations for the next 30 to 40 years.”
During construction, McMinnville Water & Light’s office staff will relocate to a temporary location and assist customers there for about 15 months beginning in late April or early May while the remodeling and expansion project takes place on Marsh Lane. The exact date of the move and address of the temporary location will be announced later this spring.
MW&L plans to move back to its remodeled and expanded Marsh Lane headquarters in summer 2027.
