News & Events
Mill Creek Corporate Center Update
2012 Southeast Salem Construction Projects
Fri., Jul. 13, 2012 - Salem, Ore. – The 650 acre Mill Creek Corporate Center, in southeast Salem, is an innovative collaboration between the State of Oregon and the City of Salem, designed to promote regional economic development while minimizing impacts to the environment. When complete, the Mill Creek Corporate Center is expected to generate $400 million in private investment and create more than 5,000 new jobs in the next 15-20 years. Several construction projects are currently underway at the Mill Creek Corporate Center.
Aumsville Highway – Road Widening & Utilities
The road widening project is necessary to accommodate a range of traffic needs as future development occurs in the area. Stormwater improvements, sanitary sewer main extension and underground water main distribution are also included in the project. Funds for the project have been secured through the Oregon Department of Transportation Oregon Jobs and Transportation Act Grant, Development Fees, and Urban Renewal Tax Increment at around $6.1 Million. Utility work is scheduled to begin August 2012, with roadway improvements to follow beginning spring 2013.
Wetlands Construction – Planting & Irrigation
Existing conditions at the Mill Creek Corporate Center would require businesses considering the area to identify and protect any wetlands on site. To alleviate this burden, the City of Salem and the Oregon Department of Administrative Services worked with state and federal agencies to mitigate for existing onsite wetlands through the construction of a 70 acre central wetland open space. Years of planning, site preparation, road, and other infrastructure improvement projects will now make it possible for a prospective business to begin construction at the Mill Creek Corporate Center around 180 days following site selection. Excavation, grading and drainage improvements for the central open space were completed November 2011. Piles of logs and wood debris that can be observed throughout the site will serve as habitat to support wildlife. Some final drainage improvements and planting of the open space with native vegetation will commence fall 2012. The wetlands construction project is anticipated to cost around $3 Million, with up to $1.1 Million financed through a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, and the balance financed through Urban Renewal Tax Increment funds. The project is scheduled to be completed by June 2013. Irrigation of the new plants will continue for at least three summers to ensure their establishment.
Mill Creek Waterline Loop
Construction of approximately 10,000 linear feet of 18 inch and 24 inch waterline to improve water flow to the Mill Creek Corporate Center and southeast Salem. The project will cost around $750,000 and will be funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Urban Renewal Area Tax Increment funds. The first phase of the project was completed in 2010 and the remainder is scheduled for a December 2012 completion.
For questions regarding these projects, please contact Tory Banford at the City of Salem’s Urban Development Department at 503.540.2445 or [email].
The Urban Development Department administers and oversees a variety of programs and services aimed at strengthening Salem’s economy including Salem’s eight urban renewal areas. In addition, the Department provides loans and grants to finance activities that create emergency, transitional and permanent affordable rental housing for low and moderate income families in Salem and Keizer; allocates funds to non-profits to provide emergency services to homeless and families at-risk of being homeless; facilitates economic opportunities and reinvestment; invests in economic empowerment for individual prosperity and small business growth; issues commercial loan and grant programs; performs real property management, acquisition, sales and leasing services for the City; manages downtown parking services and revitalization; manages Salem’s Municipal Airport; and functions as the liaison to community organizations, businesses, and City Council and Agency Board appointed advisory groups.
CONTACT:
Nicole Miller, Public Information Manager
City of Salem – Urban Development Department
Tel: 503-540-2415
[Email]
