Page Menu

Redmond Campus Improvement Project

Persistent growth in Central Oregon has required the cooperative to strategically plan for the long term while investing in its infrastructure and electric system to serve new and existing members.

The investment also includes a redesign of CEC’s nearly 50-year-old Redmond Campus at 2098 NW 6th Street, which is nearing the end of its life and has reached full staff capacity.

Completed in 1977, the facilities can no longer keep pace with growth, having seen a workforce expand by more than 40% and metered services increase by 428% over the last five decades.

CEC’s management and board of directors carefully evaluated this project, beginning in June 2022 with strategic planning and expert facility assessments. The review concluded the existing buildings are nearing their expiration date and no longer meet operational and growth needs.

Upon completion of a competitive bid process, the board of directors approved moving forward.

 

Why the Redmond Campus Improvement Project?

The project includes a new administration building, a warehouse, and a truck bay, along with upgrades to three existing buildings, to relieve immediate space constraints, support growth for decades, extend facility life, and do so in the most cost-effective way.

Where will the new facilities be built?

At its existing location at 2098 NW 6th Street in Redmond, Oregon. Staying at the centrally located property allows the cooperative to continue operating from a strategic location, efficiently serving existing members and high-growth areas.

Will the construction disrupt member service?

Member services will continue to operate from the existing administration building throughout construction. CEC employees will remain fully available to assist members as usual, ensuring no interruption to payments, inquiries, or member support.

Why not remodel the old site instead of building new?

The 50-year-old administration building can no longer accommodate today's staffing needs, and its layout and structural limitations make expansion cost-prohibitive to bring it into compliance with current building codes. Continuing to operate the facility would also require significant capital investments and additional auxiliary costs, including leased office space and inflation-driven maintenance expenses.

The project will include a new administration building, warehouse, and truck bays, while three existing buildings will receive modest renovations to accommodate the meter shop and provide additional covered space for utility trucks and equipment.

How does the facilities redesign benefit co-op members?

Members will benefit from new facilities in many ways:

  • Greater Efficiency: A modern operations center with new warehouse layouts and equipment bays makes it easier to store, access, and maintain critical equipment, enabling crews to respond more effectively, reducing delays and improving system maintenance efficiency.
  • Room to Grow: A redesigned facility accommodates a growing workforce and modern technology, ensuring the co-op remains well-equipped to serve its members efficiently and safely for decades to come.
  • Enhanced Employee Safety: Safer workspaces, improved truck bays with greater visibility, lighting, better traffic flow, and dock safety systems, and updated electrical, fire, and security systems help reduce the risk of injury, downtime, and insurance costs.
  • Better Coordination and Communication: A modern layout designed around member service and operations improves collaboration between engineering, dispatch, line crews, and member services. More efficient coordination means better, faster service to members.
  • Protection of Critical Equipment: Indoor vehicle storage and climate-controlled inventory rooms extend the life of expensive assets and reduce wear and tear—protecting member investments.