Boardman explores new facilities for police, planning departments.
By Griffin Beach on Monday, July 13th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
BOARDMAN – With its police facilities reaching capacity, the city of Boardman is exploring the construction of a new civic center that could house the police and planning departments along with a new courthouse.
Architects West, a firm based in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, delivered a presentation outlining how Boardman’s police and planning departments have outgrown their current spaces at Boardman City Hall. The firm highlighted the efficiency of addressing both departments’ needs in a single project, while also noting that the facility presents an opportunity for the city to establish a court facility, something it currently doesn’t have.
City Manager Brandon Hammond said the conversation initially began with the police department’s immediate needs before expanding.
When Councilmember Richard Rockwell asked why the city could not simply expand the current police station, Hammond explained that the option was explored but deemed unfeasible from a utility standpoint. Furthermore, Hammond noted that the cost of an expansion offered little savings compared to constructing a new building.
Marcus Valentine, principal architect at Architects West, said the initial design features a three-story, 40,000-square-foot facility with an estimated budget of $30 million. For comparison, Valentine noted the project is roughly the same size as the city hall in Richland, Washington.
City staff said the $30 million price tag would likely require a bond, and councilmembers said that would be a tough ask of voters considering the $200 million school bond that was just passed.
In response to a question from Councilmember Michael Hughes about whether the project could be completed in phases, Valentine suggested constructing the entire building’s exterior shell upfront.
“To give you the most efficient use of your funds on the construction process would be to construct the shell of the entire building and leave the upper two levels completely unfinished,” Valentine said.
Police Chief Rick Stokoe said that the specialized needs of a modern police station would likely drive police-specific costs to around $20 million. While he agreed with the council that he wants to avoid placing a financial burden on taxpayers, he emphasized that a new police facility is urgently needed.
“We are busting at the seams,” Stokoe said, “We’ve remodeled three, four times now. We’re putting people in closets. We have no place to store anything.”
City Finance Director Marta Barajas noted that the city’s building department could likely fund its own portion of the facility. She also presented alternative funding options, including loans and potential grants.
Hammond stressed that Tuesday’s discussion was strictly preliminary and meant to gauge the city’s financial comfort level. While the city council took no formal action, a general consensus emerged that a $20 million budget could serve as a starting point.
“This is a concept that has a long way to go yet,” Valentine said.
Conceptual drawing of the Boardman Civic Center from the city of Boardman
